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Dhammapada verse meaning

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 12:58 pm
by Amata
Chapter 5, verse 62 of the Dhammapada:
'These children belong to me, and this wealth belongs to me,' with such thoughts a fool is tormented. They themselves do not belong to themselves; how much less children and wealth?

I was wondering who, it is generally thought, the Buddha was thinking that they themselves belong to?

Re: Dhammapada verse meaning

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:36 pm
by Cittasanto
Amata wrote:Chapter 5, verse 62 of the Dhammapada:
'These children belong to me, and this wealth belongs to me,' with such thoughts a fool is tormented. They themselves do not belong to themselves; how much less children and wealth?

I was wondering who, it is generally thought, the Buddha was thinking that they themselves belong to?
This is talking about non-self so no-one.

Re: Dhammapada verse meaning

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:08 pm
by SDC
Cittasanto wrote:This is talking about non-self so no-one.
This.^^

He was drawing attention to the irony of a "self" having external objects that belong to it, when in the first place, this thing that is seen as "self" is a complex concept composed of internal and external objects that can not be fully controlled. And how what is not fully under control be declared as being "mine" let alone external objects not physically attached to it?

I love trying to explain this stuff, but in the end I'm not sure if I ever make sense. :smile:

Re: Dhammapada verse meaning

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:38 pm
by Cittasanto
SDC wrote:
Cittasanto wrote:This is talking about non-self so no-one.
This.^^

He was drawing attention to the irony of a "self" having external objects that belong to it, when in the first place, this thing that is seen as "self" is a complex concept composed of internal and external objects that can not be fully controlled. And how what is not fully under control be declared as being "mine" let alone external objects not physically attached to it?

I love trying to explain this stuff, but in the end I'm not sure if I ever make sense. :smile:
one question, what does the ^^ mean?

Re: Dhammapada verse meaning

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:42 pm
by SDC
It's me pointing at your post saying that I agree with it

Re: Dhammapada verse meaning

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:57 pm
by Mawkish1983
SDC wrote:
Cittasanto wrote:This is talking about non-self so no-one.
He was drawing attention to the irony of a "self" having external objects that belong to it, when in the first place, this thing that is seen as "self" is a complex concept composed of internal and external objects that can not be fully controlled. And how what is not fully under control be declared as being "mine" let alone external objects not physically attached to it? I'm not sure if I ever make sense.
Made sense to me, and I think I agree with this interpretation.

To paraphrase a wise philosopher, it's like two fleas arguing over who owns the dog.

Well, that analogy doesn't quite work, how about:

A computer game character being programmed to be [or at least, appear] upset about losing in-game money?

Re: Dhammapada verse meaning

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:40 pm
by Cittasanto
SDC wrote:It's me pointing at your post saying that I agree with it
right :) Thought you were but not sure if you were replying or agreeing, was a little confused :rolleye:

Re: Dhammapada verse meaning

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 1:26 am
by SDC
Cittasanto wrote:right :) Thought you were but not sure if you were replying or agreeing, was a little confused :rolleye:
Its done often on another forum I post on. I sprung it with no warning. :tongue:

Re: Dhammapada verse meaning

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 1:26 am
by SDC
Mawkish1983 wrote:Made sense to me, and I think I agree with this interpretation.
Nice!

Re: Dhammapada verse meaning

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 12:53 pm
by sarahypp
Very nice verse from the Dhammapada, thank you for sharing.

It does reflect our strong sense of self that we always identify things as 'mine' lol..

Can anyone share with us on the antidote to this? How does one lessen one's possessiveness?