Buddhist verses · Early Buddhism · Pāli Canon
Dhammapada — selected verses
A representative selection of 43 Dhammapada verses, with Pāli originals and English translations.
A selection of 43 verses, not the complete Dhammapada (423 verses). English translation: THY-REALITY; Pāli text: SuttaCentral Bilara.
Source edition: SuttaCentral Bilara (204a5c67e0ef).
Pāli originalEnglish translation
1
Manopubbaṅgamā dhammā,
manoseṭṭhā manomayā;
Manasā ce paduṭṭhena,
bhāsati vā karoti vā;
Tato naṁ dukkhamanveti,
cakkaṁva vahato padaṁ.
manoseṭṭhā manomayā;
Manasā ce paduṭṭhena,
bhāsati vā karoti vā;
Tato naṁ dukkhamanveti,
cakkaṁva vahato padaṁ.
1
Mind precedes mental states, mind leads them, they are shaped by mind.
If one speaks or acts with a corrupted mind, suffering follows like a wheel following the foot of the draft animal.
If one speaks or acts with a corrupted mind, suffering follows like a wheel following the foot of the draft animal.
2
Manopubbaṅgamā dhammā,
manoseṭṭhā manomayā;
Manasā ce pasannena,
bhāsati vā karoti vā;
Tato naṁ sukhamanveti,
chāyāva anapāyinī.
manoseṭṭhā manomayā;
Manasā ce pasannena,
bhāsati vā karoti vā;
Tato naṁ sukhamanveti,
chāyāva anapāyinī.
2
Mind precedes mental states, mind leads them, they are shaped by mind.
If one speaks or acts with a clear mind, happiness follows like a shadow that never leaves.
If one speaks or acts with a clear mind, happiness follows like a shadow that never leaves.
3
Akkocchi maṁ avadhi maṁ,
ajini maṁ ahāsi me;
Ye ca taṁ upanayhanti,
veraṁ tesaṁ na sammati.
ajini maṁ ahāsi me;
Ye ca taṁ upanayhanti,
veraṁ tesaṁ na sammati.
3
“He insulted me, struck me, defeated me, robbed me.”
For those who cling to such thoughts, hatred does not cease.
For those who cling to such thoughts, hatred does not cease.
4
Akkocchi maṁ avadhi maṁ,
ajini maṁ ahāsi me;
Ye ca taṁ nupanayhanti,
veraṁ tesūpasammati.
ajini maṁ ahāsi me;
Ye ca taṁ nupanayhanti,
veraṁ tesūpasammati.
4
“He insulted me, struck me, defeated me, robbed me.”
For those who do not cling to such thoughts, hatred ceases.
For those who do not cling to such thoughts, hatred ceases.
5
Na hi verena verāni,
sammantīdha kudācanaṁ;
Averena ca sammanti,
esa dhammo sanantano.
sammantīdha kudācanaṁ;
Averena ca sammanti,
esa dhammo sanantano.
5
Hatred is never ended by hatred in this world.
It is ended by non-hatred. This is an ancient principle.
It is ended by non-hatred. This is an ancient principle.
21
Appamādo amatapadaṁ,
pamādo maccuno padaṁ;
Appamattā na mīyanti,
ye pamattā yathā matā.
pamādo maccuno padaṁ;
Appamattā na mīyanti,
ye pamattā yathā matā.
21
Diligence is the path to the Deathless; negligence is the path to death.
The diligent do not die in that sense; the negligent are like the already dead.
The diligent do not die in that sense; the negligent are like the already dead.
22
Evaṁ visesato ñatvā,
appamādamhi paṇḍitā;
Appamāde pamodanti,
ariyānaṁ gocare ratā.
appamādamhi paṇḍitā;
Appamāde pamodanti,
ariyānaṁ gocare ratā.
22
The wise, clearly understanding the difference between diligence and negligence, delight in diligence and rejoice in the domain of the noble ones.
23
Te jhāyino sātatikā,
niccaṁ daḷhaparakkamā;
Phusanti dhīrā nibbānaṁ,
yogakkhemaṁ anuttaraṁ.
niccaṁ daḷhaparakkamā;
Phusanti dhīrā nibbānaṁ,
yogakkhemaṁ anuttaraṁ.
23
Those who meditate persistently, steadfast and constantly striving, attain nibbāna — the highest freedom from bonds.
33
Phandanaṁ capalaṁ cittaṁ,
dūrakkhaṁ dunnivārayaṁ;
Ujuṁ karoti medhāvī,
usukārova tejanaṁ.
dūrakkhaṁ dunnivārayaṁ;
Ujuṁ karoti medhāvī,
usukārova tejanaṁ.
33
As a fletcher straightens an arrow, so the wise straighten the restless and difficult-to-control mind.
34
Vārijova thale khitto,
okamokataubbhato;
Pariphandatidaṁ cittaṁ,
māradheyyaṁ pahātave.
okamokataubbhato;
Pariphandatidaṁ cittaṁ,
māradheyyaṁ pahātave.
34
Like a fish thrown from water onto dry land, the mind thrashes about while trying to escape Māra’s domain.
35
Dunniggahassa lahuno,
yatthakāmanipātino;
Cittassa damatho sādhu,
cittaṁ dantaṁ sukhāvahaṁ.
yatthakāmanipātino;
Cittassa damatho sādhu,
cittaṁ dantaṁ sukhāvahaṁ.
35
The mind is hard to restrain, quick, and lands wherever it wishes.
It is good to tame it; a tamed mind brings happiness.
It is good to tame it; a tamed mind brings happiness.
50
Na paresaṁ vilomāni,
na paresaṁ katākataṁ;
Attanova avekkheyya,
katāni akatāni ca.
na paresaṁ katākataṁ;
Attanova avekkheyya,
katāni akatāni ca.
50
Do not search for the faults of others or what they have done or failed to do.
Look instead at what you yourself have done and left undone.
Look instead at what you yourself have done and left undone.
100
Sahassamapi ce vācā,
anatthapadasaṁhitā;
Ekaṁ atthapadaṁ seyyo,
yaṁ sutvā upasammati.
anatthapadasaṁhitā;
Ekaṁ atthapadaṁ seyyo,
yaṁ sutvā upasammati.
100
Better than a thousand meaningless words is one meaningful word that brings peace.
129
Sabbe tasanti daṇḍassa,
sabbe bhāyanti maccuno;
Attānaṁ upamaṁ katvā,
na haneyya na ghātaye.
sabbe bhāyanti maccuno;
Attānaṁ upamaṁ katvā,
na haneyya na ghātaye.
129
All tremble at violence; all fear death.
Comparing others with yourself, do not kill and do not cause killing.
Comparing others with yourself, do not kill and do not cause killing.
130
Sabbe tasanti daṇḍassa,
sabbesaṁ jīvitaṁ piyaṁ;
Attānaṁ upamaṁ katvā,
na haneyya na ghātaye.
sabbesaṁ jīvitaṁ piyaṁ;
Attānaṁ upamaṁ katvā,
na haneyya na ghātaye.
130
All tremble at violence; life is dear to all.
Comparing others with yourself, do not kill and do not cause killing.
Comparing others with yourself, do not kill and do not cause killing.
153
Anekajātisaṁsāraṁ,
sandhāvissaṁ anibbisaṁ;
Gahakāraṁ gavesanto,
dukkhā jāti punappunaṁ.
sandhāvissaṁ anibbisaṁ;
Gahakāraṁ gavesanto,
dukkhā jāti punappunaṁ.
153
Through countless births I wandered in saṃsāra, searching in vain for the house-builder.
Birth again and again is dukkha.
Birth again and again is dukkha.
154
Gahakāraka diṭṭhosi,
puna gehaṁ na kāhasi;
Sabbā te phāsukā bhaggā,
gahakūṭaṁ visaṅkhataṁ;
Visaṅkhāragataṁ cittaṁ,
taṇhānaṁ khayamajjhagā.
puna gehaṁ na kāhasi;
Sabbā te phāsukā bhaggā,
gahakūṭaṁ visaṅkhataṁ;
Visaṅkhāragataṁ cittaṁ,
taṇhānaṁ khayamajjhagā.
154
House-builder, now you are seen! You will not build this house again.
All your rafters are broken, the ridge-pole destroyed.
The mind has reached the unconditioned; craving has been destroyed.
All your rafters are broken, the ridge-pole destroyed.
The mind has reached the unconditioned; craving has been destroyed.
160
Attā hi attano nātho,
ko hi nātho paro siyā;
Attanā hi sudantena,
nāthaṁ labhati dullabhaṁ.
ko hi nātho paro siyā;
Attanā hi sudantena,
nāthaṁ labhati dullabhaṁ.
160
One is one’s own protector; who else could be the final protector?
One who has thoroughly trained oneself gains a refuge difficult to obtain.
One who has thoroughly trained oneself gains a refuge difficult to obtain.
183
Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṁ,
kusalassa upasampadā;
Sacittapariyodapanaṁ,
etaṁ buddhāna sāsanaṁ.
kusalassa upasampadā;
Sacittapariyodapanaṁ,
etaṁ buddhāna sāsanaṁ.
183
Do no evil, develop what is good, and purify your own mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
184
Khantī paramaṁ tapo titikkhā,
Nibbānaṁ paramaṁ vadanti buddhā;
Na hi pabbajito parūpaghātī,
Na samaṇo hoti paraṁ viheṭhayanto.
Nibbānaṁ paramaṁ vadanti buddhā;
Na hi pabbajito parūpaghātī,
Na samaṇo hoti paraṁ viheṭhayanto.
184
Patient endurance is the highest austerity.
The Buddhas say nibbāna is the highest.
One who harms others is no true renunciant; one who oppresses others is no true mendicant.
The Buddhas say nibbāna is the highest.
One who harms others is no true renunciant; one who oppresses others is no true mendicant.
185
Anūpavādo anūpaghāto,
Pātimokkhe ca saṁvaro;
Mattaññutā ca bhattasmiṁ,
Pantañca sayanāsanaṁ;
Adhicitte ca āyogo,
Etaṁ buddhāna sāsanaṁ.
Pātimokkhe ca saṁvaro;
Mattaññutā ca bhattasmiṁ,
Pantañca sayanāsanaṁ;
Adhicitte ca āyogo,
Etaṁ buddhāna sāsanaṁ.
185
Do not insult, do not harm, live restrained by discipline, be moderate in food, dwell in seclusion, and devote yourself to training the mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
197
Susukhaṁ vata jīvāma,
verinesu averino;
Verinesu manussesu,
viharāma averino.
verinesu averino;
Verinesu manussesu,
viharāma averino.
197
Let us live happily, free of hatred among those who hate.
Among hostile people, let us dwell without hostility.
Among hostile people, let us dwell without hostility.
198
Susukhaṁ vata jīvāma,
āturesu anāturā;
Āturesu manussesu,
viharāma anāturā.
āturesu anāturā;
Āturesu manussesu,
viharāma anāturā.
198
Let us live happily, free of the disease of craving among those afflicted by it.
Among those diseased by craving, let us dwell free of that disease.
Among those diseased by craving, let us dwell free of that disease.
199
Susukhaṁ vata jīvāma,
ussukesu anussukā;
Ussukesu manussesu,
viharāma anussukā.
ussukesu anussukā;
Ussukesu manussesu,
viharāma anussukā.
199
Let us live happily, free of agitation among the agitated.
Among restless people, let us dwell at peace.
Among restless people, let us dwell at peace.
200
Susukhaṁ vata jīvāma,
yesaṁ no natthi kiñcanaṁ;
Pītibhakkhā bhavissāma,
devā ābhassarā yathā.
yesaṁ no natthi kiñcanaṁ;
Pītibhakkhā bhavissāma,
devā ābhassarā yathā.
200
Let us live happily, possessing nothing.
We shall feed on rapture like radiant deities.
We shall feed on rapture like radiant deities.
223
Akkodhena jine kodhaṁ,
asādhuṁ sādhunā jine;
Jine kadariyaṁ dānena,
saccenālikavādinaṁ.
asādhuṁ sādhunā jine;
Jine kadariyaṁ dānena,
saccenālikavādinaṁ.
223
Overcome anger with non-anger, what is harmful with what is good, stinginess with giving, and falsehood with truth.
276
Tumhehi kiccamātappaṁ,
akkhātāro tathāgatā;
Paṭipannā pamokkhanti,
jhāyino mārabandhanā.
akkhātāro tathāgatā;
Paṭipannā pamokkhanti,
jhāyino mārabandhanā.
276
You yourselves must make the effort; the Tathāgatas only point out the path.
Those who enter it and meditate are released from Māra’s bonds.
Those who enter it and meditate are released from Māra’s bonds.
277
“Sabbe saṅkhārā aniccā”ti,
yadā paññāya passati;
Atha nibbindati dukkhe,
esa maggo visuddhiyā.
yadā paññāya passati;
Atha nibbindati dukkhe,
esa maggo visuddhiyā.
277
All conditioned formations are impermanent.
When one sees this with wisdom, one becomes disenchanted with dukkha. This is the path of purification.
When one sees this with wisdom, one becomes disenchanted with dukkha. This is the path of purification.
278
“Sabbe saṅkhārā dukkhā”ti,
yadā paññāya passati;
Atha nibbindati dukkhe,
esa maggo visuddhiyā.
yadā paññāya passati;
Atha nibbindati dukkhe,
esa maggo visuddhiyā.
278
All conditioned formations are dukkha.
When one sees this with wisdom, one becomes disenchanted with dukkha. This is the path of purification.
When one sees this with wisdom, one becomes disenchanted with dukkha. This is the path of purification.
279
“Sabbe dhammā anattā”ti,
yadā paññāya passati;
Atha nibbindati dukkhe,
esa maggo visuddhiyā.
yadā paññāya passati;
Atha nibbindati dukkhe,
esa maggo visuddhiyā.
279
All phenomena are not-self.
When one sees this with wisdom, one becomes disenchanted with dukkha. This is the path of purification.
When one sees this with wisdom, one becomes disenchanted with dukkha. This is the path of purification.
354
Sabbadānaṁ dhammadānaṁ jināti,
Sabbarasaṁ dhammaraso jināti;
Sabbaratiṁ dhammarati jināti,
Taṇhakkhayo sabbadukkhaṁ jināti.
Sabbarasaṁ dhammaraso jināti;
Sabbaratiṁ dhammarati jināti,
Taṇhakkhayo sabbadukkhaṁ jināti.
354
The gift of Dhamma surpasses all gifts.
The taste of Dhamma surpasses all tastes.
Delight in Dhamma surpasses all delights.
The destruction of craving overcomes all dukkha.
The taste of Dhamma surpasses all tastes.
Delight in Dhamma surpasses all delights.
The destruction of craving overcomes all dukkha.
368
Mettāvihārī yo bhikkhu,
pasanno buddhasāsane;
Adhigacche padaṁ santaṁ,
saṅkhārūpasamaṁ sukhaṁ.
pasanno buddhasāsane;
Adhigacche padaṁ santaṁ,
saṅkhārūpasamaṁ sukhaṁ.
368
A mendicant who dwells in goodwill and trusts the Buddha’s teaching reaches the state of peace — the happiness of stilling conditioned formations.
369
Siñca bhikkhu imaṁ nāvaṁ,
sittā te lahumessati;
Chetvā rāgañca dosañca,
tato nibbānamehisi.
sittā te lahumessati;
Chetvā rāgañca dosañca,
tato nibbānamehisi.
369
Mendicant, empty the boat. When emptied, it will travel swiftly.
Cut off passion and aversion; thus you will reach nibbāna.
Cut off passion and aversion; thus you will reach nibbāna.
370
Pañca chinde pañca jahe,
pañca cuttari bhāvaye;
Pañca saṅgātigo bhikkhu,
“oghatiṇṇo”ti vuccati.
pañca cuttari bhāvaye;
Pañca saṅgātigo bhikkhu,
“oghatiṇṇo”ti vuccati.
370
Cut off five, abandon five, and develop five further.
A mendicant who has crossed five bonds is called one who has crossed the flood.
A mendicant who has crossed five bonds is called one who has crossed the flood.
371
Jhāya bhikkhu mā pamādo,
Mā te kāmaguṇe ramessu cittaṁ;
Mā lohaguḷaṁ gilī pamatto,
Mā kandi “dukkhamidan”ti dayhamāno.
Mā te kāmaguṇe ramessu cittaṁ;
Mā lohaguḷaṁ gilī pamatto,
Mā kandi “dukkhamidan”ti dayhamāno.
371
Meditate, mendicant, and do not be negligent.
Do not let your mind delight in sensual pleasures.
Do not heedlessly swallow a hot iron ball and, when it burns you, cry: “This is suffering!”
Do not let your mind delight in sensual pleasures.
Do not heedlessly swallow a hot iron ball and, when it burns you, cry: “This is suffering!”
372
Natthi jhānaṁ apaññassa,
paññā natthi ajhāyato;
Yamhi jhānañca paññā ca,
sa ve nibbānasantike.
paññā natthi ajhāyato;
Yamhi jhānañca paññā ca,
sa ve nibbānasantike.
372
There is no meditative concentration without wisdom, and no wisdom without concentration.
One who has both is close to nibbāna.
One who has both is close to nibbāna.
373
Suññāgāraṁ paviṭṭhassa,
santacittassa bhikkhuno;
Amānusī rati hoti,
sammā dhammaṁ vipassato.
santacittassa bhikkhuno;
Amānusī rati hoti,
sammā dhammaṁ vipassato.
373
For a mendicant who enters an empty dwelling, settles the mind, and clearly sees the Dhamma, a more-than-human joy arises.
374
Yato yato sammasati,
khandhānaṁ udayabbayaṁ;
Labhatī pītipāmojjaṁ,
amataṁ taṁ vijānataṁ.
khandhānaṁ udayabbayaṁ;
Labhatī pītipāmojjaṁ,
amataṁ taṁ vijānataṁ.
374
Repeatedly seeing directly the arising and passing away of the aggregates, one gains the joy and gladness of one who knows the Deathless.
375
Tatrāyamādi bhavati,
idha paññassa bhikkhuno;
Indriyagutti santuṭṭhi,
pātimokkhe ca saṁvaro.
idha paññassa bhikkhuno;
Indriyagutti santuṭṭhi,
pātimokkhe ca saṁvaro.
375
For a wise mendicant the beginning is this: restraint of the senses, contentment, and discipline.
376
Mitte bhajassu kalyāṇe,
suddhājīve atandite;
Paṭisanthāravutyassa,
ācārakusalo siyā;
Tato pāmojjabahulo,
dukkhassantaṁ karissati.
suddhājīve atandite;
Paṭisanthāravutyassa,
ācārakusalo siyā;
Tato pāmojjabahulo,
dukkhassantaṁ karissati.
376
Associate with good friends whose lives are pure and energetic.
Be friendly in conduct and complete in proper behavior.
Full of joy, you will make an end of dukkha.
Be friendly in conduct and complete in proper behavior.
Full of joy, you will make an end of dukkha.
393
Na jaṭāhi na gottena,
na jaccā hoti brāhmaṇo;
Yamhi saccañca dhammo ca,
so sucī so ca brāhmaṇo.
na jaccā hoti brāhmaṇo;
Yamhi saccañca dhammo ca,
so sucī so ca brāhmaṇo.
393
One does not become a true brahmin through matted hair, lineage, or birth.
In whom there are truth and Dhamma, that one is pure — that one I call a brahmin.
In whom there are truth and Dhamma, that one is pure — that one I call a brahmin.
396
Na cāhaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ brūmi,
yonijaṁ mattisambhavaṁ;
Bhovādi nāma so hoti,
sace hoti sakiñcano;
Akiñcanaṁ anādānaṁ,
tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.
yonijaṁ mattisambhavaṁ;
Bhovādi nāma so hoti,
sace hoti sakiñcano;
Akiñcanaṁ anādānaṁ,
tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.
396
I do not call someone a brahmin merely because they were born from a brahmin mother.
If still full of attachments, they are merely one who says “sir.”
One who has nothing and clings to nothing — that one I call a brahmin.
If still full of attachments, they are merely one who says “sir.”
One who has nothing and clings to nothing — that one I call a brahmin.
423
Pubbenivāsaṁ yo vedi,
saggāpāyañca passati;
Atho jātikkhayaṁ patto,
abhiññāvosito muni;
Sabbavositavosānaṁ,
tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.
saggāpāyañca passati;
Atho jātikkhayaṁ patto,
abhiññāvosito muni;
Sabbavositavosānaṁ,
tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.
423
One who knows former lives, sees heavenly and unfortunate destinations, has reached the end of births, and completed direct knowledge — that sage, accomplished in every accomplishment, I call a brahmin.
Translation notes
- manopubbaṅgamā dhammā in 1–2 is not rendered as “mind creates the universe,” but as the leading or preceding role of mind in mental states, speech, and action.
- amata in 21 is “the Deathless,” a traditional epithet of nibbāna, not biological immortality.
- 153–154 are traditionally linked to the Buddha’s awakening; the verses themselves are translated without importing the later narrative.
- 277–278: sabbe saṅkhārā — all conditioned formations.
- 279: sabbe dhammā — all phenomena. The change of term is deliberate and preserved.
- brāhmaṇa in the final chapter is intentionally redefined as a spiritual ideal rather than merely a member of the brahmin social group.