Dhammapada

The Dhammapada is a collection of sayings attributed to the Buddha, preserved in the Pali language and included in the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Sutta Pitaka within the Pali Canon. The name translates roughly as "Verse of the Dharma" or "Verses on the Dhamma." It is one of the most widely read Buddhist scriptures and holds particular significance in Theravada Buddhism, while also influencing other Buddhist traditions.

Composition and transmission: The work is generally counted as containing about 423 verses, arranged into 26 chapters, though exact counts can vary by edition. Traditionally attributed to the Buddha, some modern scholars view it as a compiled anthology drawing on earlier discourses. The verses are concise aphorisms that present ethical and spiritual guidance. The Dhammapada exists in extant Pali manuscripts and has parallels in Chinese Agamas and Sanskrit sources, indicating a broad early Buddhist reach. Like other early texts, it was transmitted orally before being committed to writing.

Content and themes: The verses address ethics (sila), mental cultivation (samadhi), and wisdom (panna), with emphasis on virtuous conduct, mindful speech, non-harm, humility, and compassion. Among its well-known lines are phrases such as “All that we are is the result of what we have thought” and “Hatred does not cease through hatred; hatred ceases through love.” The text encourages personal responsibility, reflection, and the cultivation of a calm and virtuous mind as a path to liberation.

Significance and translations: The Dhammapada has been translated into many languages and serves as a practical guide for lay followers and monastics alike. It is frequently cited in Buddhist readings and used in daily contemplation, exegesis, and meditation practice, contributing to ongoing understandings of Buddhist ethical and spiritual ideals.