Publisher's Synopsis
DHAMMAPADA Gospel of the Buddha (Large Print & Large Format Edition). Translation & Introduction Paul Smith. From ancient times to now, the Dhammapada has been regarded as the most succinct expression of the Buddha's teaching and the chief spiritual testament of early Buddhism. In the countries following Buddhism, the influence of the Dhammapada is immeasurable. It is a guidebook for resolving problems of everyday life, and a primer for the instruction in the wisdom of understanding. The admiration the Dhammapada has elicited has not been confined to followers of Buddhism. Wherever it has become known, its moral earnestness, realistic understanding of human life, wisdom and stirring message of a way to freedom from suffering have won for it the devotion and veneration of those responsive to the good and true. Here is a modern English translation that keeps as close as possible to the meaning of the original in poetic prose. Large Print (16pt) & Large Format (8" x 10") Edition. 253 pages. Comments on Paul Smith's Version of Hafiz's 'Divan'. "It is not a joke... the English version of all the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator into Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. "Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author). Paul Smith (b. 1945) is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets from the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre and many others and his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies and screenplays.
