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 XIV, "The Buddha (The Awakened)," presents verses 179–196. Verses 179–180 ask by what track one can lead the Awakened, the Omniscient, the trackless, whose conquest is not conquered again and whom no desire can lead astray. Verse 181 states the gods envy those who are awakened and given to meditation. Verse 182 lists what is difficult to obtain. Verse 183 gives the teaching of the Awakened: not to commit sin, to do good, to purify the mind. Verses 184–185 name patience as the highest penance and describe restrained conduct. Verses 186–187 state lusts bring no satisfaction and the awakened disciple delights in the destruction of desires. Verses 188–192 describe men fleeing to mountains and trees for refuge, then declare refuge with Buddha, the Law, and the Church, and the four holy truths, as the safe refuge. Verses 193–196 state a Buddha is rarely born, proclaim happiness in the Awakened's arising, and describe immeasurable merit for one who pays homage.
Chapter XIV, Section 1aChapter XIV, Section 1bChapter XIV, Section 1c