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.
Chapter VII, "The Venerable (Arhat)," presents verses on those who have attained freedom. Verse 90 states there is no suffering for one who has finished his journey and thrown off all fetters. Verse 91 describes those who depart with well-collected thoughts, leaving house and home like swans leaving a lake. Verse 92 speaks of men without riches whose path, having perceived Nirvâna, is hard to understand, like birds' flight. Verse 93 repeats this of one whose appetites are stilled. Verse 94 says the gods envy him whose senses are subdued. Verse 95 compares such a one to earth, Indra's bolt, and a mudless lake. Verse 96 describes his quiet thought, word, and deed. Verse 97 calls the man free from credulity the greatest of men. Verses 98 and 99 declare places and forests where venerable persons dwell delightful.
Chapter VII, Section 1aChapter VII, Section 1bChapter VII, Section 1c