Full Moon – Good Company - Monday 29th June, 2026
The timely company of friends is goodness.
Fewness of needs is goodness.
Having accumulated virtue at life’s end is goodness.
Having dispensed with all suffering is goodness.
Dhammapada 331
What is goodness? Obviously we all have a concept of goodness. What do we understand this concept to mean? Presumably we hold a variety of perspectives on it. Everyday goodness would probably be about personal preferences regarding such matters as the weather or our state of health. In this verse the Buddha is highlighting goodness in terms of principles. Within this teaching is the encouragement to value those things that are going to generate most benefit. ‘Good weather’ is indeed agreeable, though having reliable friends who support our aspirations to free our hearts and minds from confusion is more valuable.
These Dhammapada quotes have been taken or adapted from, A Dhammapada For Contemplation, by Ajahn Munindo, published by Aruno Publications. They should not be understood as literal renderings of the Dhammapada. For literal translations, please read other works. The reflections are by Ajahn Munindo.
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EFFECTS OF RIGHT ACTION: full moon - Saturday 9th August 2025
Do not ignore the effect of right action
saying, ‘This will come to nothing.’
Just as by the gradual fall of raindrops
the water jar is filled,
so in time the wise
become replete with good.
DHAMMAPADA v. 122
It helps to be reminded that small moments matter. We might feel impressed by the idea of, ‘the bigger the better’, forgetting what a tremendous difference one brief, empathetic smile can make. Or, conversely, the pain and confusion that one harsh word can cause.
FOR GOODNESS SAKE: full moon – Saturday 12th April 2025
Having performed a wholesome deed
it is good to repeat it, again and again.
Be interested in the pleasure of wholesomeness.
The fruit of accumulated goodness is contentment.
DHAMMAPADA v. 118
What is our first response when we are feeling challenged? Perhaps something along the lines of, ‘How do I handle this?’ or ‘What should I do to fix this?’ We then set about trying to make ‘right’ a situation that we view as ‘wrong’. Understandable as this response is, it doesn’t always work. Some situations we can’t make ‘right’. When this happens, if we are not careful, we can find ourselves feeling helpless and frustrated. From the perspective of Buddhist practice there is always something we can do that makes a positive difference. As simplistic as it might first appear, it is always possible to generate goodness. Don’t underestimate the potential benefit of even a small moment of positivity. And remember, this goodness is not supposed to get rid of the frustration or the anger. We are not talking here about denying the pain and indulging a naive addiction to positivity. Accumulated goodness is a source of strength that can help us take responsibility for the way we feel. Indeed, facing intense challenges with a well-stocked storehouse of goodness is much less risky.