The Dhammapada (Penguin Classics)

The packaging was fine, but the book itself was damaged and worn. See photos. Spine cracked in three places, corner bent over and a large ugly sticker pasted on the back! The contents, no argument there, this is a great little book. If you receive a damaged one, return it for a refund or replacement which you are entitled to. If you want this book, you really don't want it in anything other than mint condition because that is what it deserves! I've given 5 stars because of the book, not the condition this one was in.

The introduction and translation is by Mascaro who had a great sensivity to mystical / religious matters.

I heard some of this on a retreat. I've read other translations by Juan Mascaro and he captures the spiritual and reflective quality of teachings. So if you want inspiration and connected moments in your daily life then I recommend this beautiful translation. If you are studying Buddhism then there may be other newer more scholarly translations. So far, I am dipping into this and always find something helpful and uplifting. Enjoy!

This is a life changing book! Wonderful, thought-provoking short sayings with plenty to ponder and transform yourself by. I can hear the Buddha's words echoed by Jesus Christ, which is so affirming. The introduction is also excellent and well worth a read. It places the Buddha's sayings in parallel with Hindu, Taoist and Christian teaching, which is helpful. Just don't buy from World of Books: their product descriptions are unreliable. I thought I was buying a 'very good' but it was barely 'acceptable' and not the edition illustrated but a much older one. My star rating really reflects the book World of Books gave me rather than the one they advertised.

Next to the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita this my favourite book! A wonderful translation makes it a pleasure to read. I would recommend this translation to everyone!

The Buddha's own prescription perfectly translated by Juan Mascaro. What more could you ask for in a book? Try doing it.

A lovely translation of the greatest book of Buddhism. Gives meaning to life.

Great book on the study of The Dhammapada.

Although there are plenty of Dhammapada translations, this one is very insightful especially regarding its introduction.

It is the noble, sublime, supreme Dhamma taught by the Blessed Ones, the Arahants, the Perfectly Enlightened Ones. May you take the Dhammapada, keep it with you, wherever you go. Be diligent, ardent, resolute. Practice the Dhamma. With lots of loving-kindness Raymond

It is an exquisite translation by Juan Mascaro, conveying the essence in a simple, and profound way. I had a chance to read 2 other translation by others and this version by Juan Mascaro takes the cake.

Very good book and in good shape. Great tool for learning and reflecting.

This is by far the shortest book I own and yet also the densest. It is so brilliantly composed that hardly ever did a single word or phrase seem unnecessary. I like to collect my favorite passages from the books I read and soon found myself transcribing the entire work. This may only represent a tiny portion of the Buddhist canon, but you will find yourself wondering why any more writings are even necessary if you are able to comprehend the depth and scope of this brief text. Juan Mascaro quickly became a translator I had to read more from and I made sure to get his renditions of The Upanishads and The Bhagavad Gita as well as his rare personal collection of meditative aphorisms The Creation of Faith. What makes Mascaro so valuable as a representative of these spiritual texts is that he had not only an exceptional talent for translating and capturing the essence and flow of ancient works, but he was very much on a spiritual quest of his own. You can feel how respectful and careful he was in balancing the archaic rhythm and tone of the texts and the need to make them equally beautiful and sensible in a foreign language and for modern readers.