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 "Punishment," opens with verse 129 stating that all men tremble at punishment and fear death, urging one not to kill nor cause slaughter. Verse 130 repeats this, noting all men love life. Verse 131 states that one who kills beings longing for happiness while seeking his own will not find happiness after death; verse 132 states the converse. Verse 133 advises against harsh speech, warning that angry words return. Verse 134 says silence like a shattered gong reaches Nirvâna. Verse 135 compares Age and Death to a cowherd driving cows. Verse 136 describes the fool burning by his own deeds. Verse 137 says one who harms innocent persons meets ten states, enumerated in verses 138 through 140: suffering, loss, injury, affliction, madness, misfortune from the king, accusation, loss of relations, destroyed treasures, and lightning burning his houses before he goes to hell. Verse 141 lists outward practices that cannot purify one with desires. Verse 142 names the tranquil person a Brâhmana, ascetic, and friar. Verses 143 and 144 invoke the well-trained horse and virtues overcoming pain. Verse 145 states good people fashion themselves.
Chapter X, Section 1aChapter X, Section 1bChapter X, Section 1cChapter X, Section 1d