Dhammapada means the Path of Dharma. It is a very important work and, perhaps, the best known in Theravada Buddhist literature. It contains 423 Pali verses uttered by the Buddha on various occasions to a wide range of audience. These verses have been collected from different books of the sacred Buddhist literature, the Tripitaka. Each verse is a guideline for happy living. Whosoever follows the Dhamapada wisdoms will definitely taste the bliss of timeless Dharma.

The following are a few verses selected from this great work, simplified and adapted to facilitate comprehension; the essential purport, however, remains intact.

1. Mind is the most important thing. It is the source of all actions. If we act or speak with an impure mind, we suffer. But if we act or speak with a clean mind, then we shall be happy.

2. Hatred never ceases by hatred, but by love and kindness.

3. Just as the rain penetrates through a poorly thatched house, even so does lust break through the uncultivated mind.

4. Hard-working men, ever heedful and alert, outstrip the lazy and careless ones as a swift horse outstrips a weak house.

5. Ever grows the golry of him who is energetic and mindful, whose deeds are pure and well-considered, who is restrained, righteous, and vigilant.

6. Mind is fickle, unsteady and hard to control. But the wise man straightens it as an arrowmaker fashions his shaft.

7. Good is the taming of the mind, which is difficult to be restrained, which is flighty and goes whereever it pleases. A mind that is trained brings happiness.

8. An ill-placed mind brings greater harm than does one's enermy.

9. This body is impermanent and perishable; some day it will lie on earth, devoid of consciousness and useless like a piece of stick.

10. The sweet smell of flowers does not blow against the wind. But the fragrance of virtue does. Truly, the virtuous man pervades all directions with the fragrance of his virtues.

11. If a fool realizes his folly, he may thereby become wise. But the fool who thinks he is wise will, indeed, remain a fool.

12. Foolish (evil) people are, indeed, enemies of themselves. They do evil actions that bring unhappiness and painful results.

13. As a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, even so do the wise men remain unshaken in blame and praise.

14. Irrigators convey water to where they want; fletchers fashion the arrow; carpenters fashion the wood; good people train themselves.

15. Let not be quick to do good and let one restrain the thought from evil; the mind of one who is slow in doing good finds delight in evil.

16. Refrain from all evil; do only what is good; purify your mind, this is the advice of the Awakened Ones.

17. Let one conquer hatred with love and evil with righteousness; let one conquer the miser with generosity and the liar with truthfulness.

18. Good is restraint in action, speech and mind. One should be restrained everywhere. He who is restrained in every way is freed from all suffering.