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 XI, titled "Old Age," opens by asking how there is laughter or joy while the world burns, and why those surrounded by darkness do not seek a light (146). It directs attention to a dressed-up lump, covered with wounds and sickly (147), and states the body is wasted and frail, life ending in death (148). It compares white bones to gourds thrown away in autumn (149) and describes a stronghold made of bones housing old age, death, pride, and deceit (150). It says kings' chariots and the body are destroyed, but the virtue of good people is not (151), and that a man who has learnt little grows old like an ox (152). Verses 153–154 speak of seeking the maker of the tabernacle through many births, then declaring him seen and the tabernacle unmade. Verses 155 and 156 describe men lacking discipline and treasure perishing like old herons and lying like broken bows.
Chapter XI, Section 1aChapter XI, Section 1bChapter XI, Section 1c