The second book of the Khuddakanikāya of the Sutta Pitaka.

It is probably a later anthology than the Thera-Therī-Gāthā, and its earliest mention by name is in the Milindapañha (p.408).

It includes verses (gāthā) collected together from various books in the Canon, but contains hardly any from the Jātaka collection, or directly derived from the Suttanipāta.

The present text of the Dhammapada contains four hundred and twenty-three verses divided into twenty-six chapters (vagga).

Verses and Commentary

Yamaka Vagga — Twin Verses

Appamāda Vagga — Heedfulness

Citta Vagga — The Mind

Puppha Vagga — Flowers

Bāla Vagga — The Fool

Paṇḍita Vagga — The Wise

Arahanta Vagga — The Worthy

Sahassa Vagga — Thousands

Pāpa Vagga — Evil

Daṇḍa Vagga — Punishment

Jarā Vagga — Old Age

Atta Vagga — The Self

Loka Vagga — The World

Buddha Vagga — The Buddha

Sukha Vagga — Happiness

Piya Vagga — Affection

Kodha Vagga — Anger

Mala Vagga — Stains

Dhammaṭṭha Vagga — The Righteous

Magga Vagga — The Path

Pakiṇṇaka Vagga — Miscellaneous

Niraya Vagga — Hell

Nāga Vagga — The Tusker

Taṇhā Vagga — Craving

Bhikkhu Vagga — The Monk

Brahmaṇa Vagga — The Saint

So far, five recensions of the Dhammapada have been discovered. (For details see Law: Pāḷi Lit., pp.215 f).

The commentary on it is called the Dhammapadaṭṭhakathā.