31/03/2026
Today, Jennifer would like to share Verse 78 from the Dhammapada (The Buddha’s Words of Wisdom). 🪷
🪷 Pali
Na bhaje pāpake mitte
na bhaje purisādhame
bhajetha mitte kalyāṇe
bhajetha purisuttame
🌼 English
Do not associate with bad friends,
nor with the low.
Associate with good friends,
associate with the best among people.
🌺 Vietnamese
Chớ thân với bạn ác,
Chớ thân kẻ tiểu nhân.
Hãy thân người bạn lành,
Hãy thân bậc thượng nhân.
————————————————————
🌿 Meaning of the Buddha’s Teaching 🌿
The Buddha is reminding us that the people we associate with shape our mind, our habits, and our path in life.
If we spend time with those who:
• Act unwholesomely
• Speak harshly
• Live without mindfulness
👉 We are more likely to be influenced by those same qualities.
On the other hand, when we stay close to:
• Wise people
• Kind and ethical friends
• Those who practice Dhamma
👉 We naturally grow in goodness, clarity, and peace.
This teaching is not about judging others,
but about protecting our own mind and choosing what nourishes it.
⸻
🪷 In Daily Life 🪷
This teaching invites us to reflect:
• Choose friends who uplift your mind, not drain it
• Spend time with people who inspire kindness, patience, and wisdom
• Limit exposure to negativity, gossip, and harmful influences
• Seek out good company (kalyāṇa-mitta) — even through books, teachings, or Dhamma talks
Because in the end…
👉 We become like the people we spend time with
👉 Good friendship is a strong support on the path to peace
⸻
☮️ Gentle Reflection ☮️
Ask yourself:
• “Who influences my mind every day?”
• “Do my surroundings help me grow or pull me away from peace?”
Even one good friend…
or one good teaching…
can change the direction of our life.
P/S: Please find the story of Verse 78 from the Dhammapada in the comments below (reading & video). 🪷 Together we write down: “Today is going to be my peaceful day”
