Hostilities Are Stilled

Hostilities aren't stilled
through hostility,
regardless.
Hostilities are stilled
through non-hostility:
this, an unending truth.

-Dhammapada, 1, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.


Contrast the above quote (Verse 5 of Chapter 1 of the Dhammapada) with Venerable Acharya Buddharakkhita's version:

5. Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world. By non-hatred alone is hatred appeased. This is a law eternal.



To this I add: loving-kindness is a perfect expression of non-hatred.

With practice, the wise are able to abandoned hatred and cease hostilities. Having abandoned hatred, they are able to put a stop to hostilities.

Through meditation, the calm mind is achieved which enables the power of love to replace hatred with love of humanity.

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Originally posted: December 19, 2005 7:24 PM