Dhammapada

An anthology of 423 verses in 26 chapters, part of the Pāli Canon of Theravāda Buddhism, traditionally regarded as sayings of the Buddha delivered on different occasions. Its opening pair of verses sets the theme: experience is led by the mind, so suffering follows a corrupted mind as the wheel follows the ox that draws the cart, and happiness follows a pure mind like a shadow. Chapters gather verses on vigilance, the mind, the fool and the wise, anger, pleasure, craving, the self, the world and the true brahmin, who is defined by conduct rather than birth. It teaches that hatred is never ended by hatred but only by non-hatred, that conquering oneself is greater than conquering thousands in battle, and that teachers only point the way while each must make the effort. Related collections survive in Gāndhārī, in Sanskrit-based versions and in Chinese translation.

It is the most widely read Buddhist text, and its short verses give an ethics of mind and conduct that can be understood without prior knowledge of Buddhist doctrine.