Dhammapada 153–154: Ways of Interpretation

Abstract

Most experts in Buddhist tradition seem to believe that verses 153 and 154 of the Dhammapada represent the authentic words of the Buddha. Using the simile of a house with its perishable constituent parts, the verses suggest that man with his mental faculties is mortal. From it follows that a wise man should not build such a
house, i.e., should not consider earthly life as the real, ultimate goal. The numerous translations, among them the three Hungarian ones, all suffer from various shortcomings. My present attempt at a literal translation together with explanatory remarks aims at the elimination of obvious shortcomings of previous research.