The Sage: Talk
Sep 15, 2026 · 20 min · 6 segments
This week, Andrew explores Chapter 6 of the *Dhammapada*, “The Sage,” and the question: *What are we actually practicing toward?* Through vivid images of wise friendship, craftspeople shaping their…
Sep 15, 2026 · 20 min · 6 segments
This week, Andrew explores Chapter 6 of the *Dhammapada*, “The Sage,” and the question: *What are we actually practicing toward?* Through vivid images of wise friendship, craftspeople shaping their…
So starting with verses 76 and 78, like someone pointing to treasure is the wise person who sees your faults and points them out.
Associate with such a sage, good will come of it, not bad, if you associate with one such as this.
Do not associate with evil friends.
Do not associate with the lowest of people.
Associate with virtuous people.
Associate with the best people.
So the first thing that stood out to me here is just the value of teachers, the value of wise people in our lives.
And this is something I've realized we haven't talked that much about in Wild Heart.
But a very common thing in Buddhist traditions is to work closely with a teacher, someone that can help you along the way.
In my own experience, this has been sometimes in person or meeting teachers on retreats.
online meetings, things like that.
And a lot of teachers will work off of donations, they do small groups, and it's just a way to get closer experience with someone who has a lot of experience.
And then I was also thinking, right, this could be elders, therapists, older friends, people that have this ability to, as I love how this text says, like someone pointing to treasure is the wise person who sees your faults.
And I thought that was kind of funny because I don't know if my reaction when someone's pointing out my faults is like, oh, this is treasure, you know.
For me, sometimes that kicks up defensiveness.
Yeah.
and some of my inner critic tendencies.
And so also acknowledging the value of having wise people that can help us see what maybe we can't see for ourselves.
And I also wanted to speak to some of the language here.
It says, the lowest of people, for example.
Do not associate with the lowest of people.
That could feel kind of provocative, but the Buddha's not talking about caste or wealth or status.
The Buddha was actually kind of revolutionary in that way, kind of abolished the caste system within his Sangha, within his community.
But it's more talking about ethical qualities and influence, right? Who gets access to our time and our energy? Such an important question.
And I was reflecting like there's quite a bit of modern relevance here, right? Boundary setting, avoiding toxic relationships.
So starting with verses 76 and 78, like someone pointing to treasure is the wise person who sees your faults and points them out.
Associate with such a sage, good will come of it, not bad, if you associate with one such as this.
Do not associate with evil friends.
Do not associate with the lowest of people.
Associate with virtuous people.
Associate with the best people.
So the first thing that stood out to me here is just the value of teachers, the value of wise people in our lives.
And this is something I've realized we haven't talked that much about in Wild Heart.
But a very common thing in Buddhist traditions is to work closely with a teacher, someone that can help you along the way.
In my own experience, this has been sometimes in person or meeting teachers on retreats.
online meetings, things like that.
And a lot of teachers will work off of donations, they do small groups, and it's just a way to get closer experience with someone who has a lot of experience.
And then I was also thinking, right, this could be elders, therapists, older friends, people that have this ability to, as I love how this text says, like someone pointing to treasure is the wise person who sees your faults.
And I thought that was kind of funny because I don't know if my reaction when someone's pointing out my faults is like, oh, this is treasure, you know.
For me, sometimes that kicks up defensiveness.
Yeah.
and some of my inner critic tendencies.
And so also acknowledging the value of having wise people that can help us see what maybe we can't see for ourselves.
And I also wanted to speak to some of the language here.
It says, the lowest of people, for example.
Do not associate with the lowest of people.
That could feel kind of provocative, but the Buddha's not talking about caste or wealth or status.
The Buddha was actually kind of revolutionary in that way, kind of abolished the caste system within his Sangha, within his community.
But it's more talking about ethical qualities and influence, right? Who gets access to our time and our energy? Such an important question.
And I was reflecting like there's quite a bit of modern relevance here, right? Boundary setting, avoiding toxic relationships.
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