The Dhammapada
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The Dhammapada proceeds through numbered chapters of verses. It opens with "The Twin-Verses," pairing evil and pure thought and contrasting those whom Mâra overthrows with those he cannot, before Chapter II sets earnestness as the path of immortality, citing Maghavan (Indra). "Thought" (III) and the chapter on flowers (IV) liken the mind to a straightened arrow and the sage to a bee, while chapters on the fool (V) and "The Wise Man" (VI) contrast the two. "The Venerable (Arhat)" (VII) and the chapter on thousands (VIII) exalt self-conquest and one meaningful word; chapters on evil (IX) and "Punishment" (X) trace how deeds ripen and warn against killing. "Old Age" (XI), "Self" (XII), and "The World" (XIII) turn to the frail body and self-mastery. "The Buddha (The Awakened)" (XIV) declares the trackless Awakened and names refuge in Buddha, the Law, and the Church. "Happiness" (XV) and the chapter on pleasure (XVI) praise living without hatred and warn that grief arises from affection. "Anger" (XVII) addresses Atula; "Impurity" (XVIII) names ignorance the greatest taint; "The Just" (XIX) distinguishes true elders and Samanas. The chapter on the way (XX) names the eightfold path and states the Tathâgatas only preach. "Miscellaneous" (XXI) invokes the disciples of Gotama; the chapter on the evil way (XXII) sends liars to hell; the elephant chapter (XXIII) praises self-taming; the chapter on thirst (XXIV) urges digging up craving's root; the Bhikshu chapter (XXV) commends restraint. The closing "Brâhmana" chapter (XXVI) repeatedly defines the true Brâhmana by conduct rather than birth.
The chapter, titled "The Twin-Verses," presents numbered verses. Verse 1 states all we are results from thought, and that if a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him as the wheel follows the ox's foot. Verse 2 repeats the opening and says a pure thought brings happiness, like an unleaving shadow. Verses 3 and 4 give the phrases "He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me": in those who harbour such thoughts hatred never ceases; in those who do not, it ceases. Verse 5 states hatred ceases by love, an old rule. Verse 6 says the world does not know all must end here; those who know cease quarrelling. Verses 7 and 8 contrast the pleasure-seeking, uncontrolled man whom Mâra overthrows like wind a weak tree, with the controlled, strong man whom Mâra cannot overthrow, like wind a mountain. Verses 9 and 10 declare one unworthy of the yellow dress if unclean from sin, worthy if cleansed and virtuous. Verses 11 and 12 contrast those confusing truth and untruth, who follow vain desires, with those knowing them, who follow true desires. Verses 13 and 14 compare passion breaking through an unreflecting mind to rain through an ill-thatched house, and the reverse. Verses 15–18 state the evil-doer mourns and suffers in both worlds, the virtuous delights and is happy in both. Verse 19 says the reciter who does not act has no share in priesthood, like a cowherd counting others' cows; verse 20 grants the true follower a share.
Chapter I, Section 1aChapter I, Section 1bChapter I, Section 1cChapter I, Section 1dChapter I, Section 1e