In this companion to his bestselling translation ofampampamp160The Dhammapada Eknath Easwaran explains howampampamp160The Dhammapadaampampamp160is a perfect map for the spiritual journey.Said to be the text closest to the Buddhas actual wordsampampamp160The Dhammapadaampampamp160is a collection of short teachings that his disciples memorized during his lifetime. Easwaran presentsampampamp160The Dhammapadaampampamp160as a guide to spiritual perseverance progress and ultimately enlightenment a heroic confrontation with life as it really is with straight answers to our deepest questions. We witness the heartbreak of death for instance ampampamp8212 what does that mean for us What is love How does karma work How do we follow the spiritual life in the midst of work and family Does nirvana really exist and if so what is it like to be illuminedIn his interpretation of Buddhist themes illustrated with stories from the Buddhaampampamp8217s life Easwaran offers a view of the concept of Right Understanding that is both exhilarating and instructive.