DhammaPada verses 1-20 share on the power of the mind in shaping one’s experiences, the importance of letting go of resentment and hostility, the consequences of living without restraint and moderation, the distinction between essence and non-essence, the sorrow and joy tied to one’s actions, the importance of acting according to the Dhamma, and who partakes in the true ascetic life.

DhammaPada verses 60-75 describe the traits and consequences for an immature person. They suffer from delusion, cling to false views of self and possessions, perform harmful actions, seek status without wisdom, and long for recognition. In contrast, the wise avoid their company and pursue seclusion and true understanding of the Dhamma.

DhammaPada verses 179-196 describe the boundless and traceless nature of the Buddha, the teachings of all the Buddhas, rarity of a human birth, rarity of the arising of a Buddha, what is a safe refuge that leads to release from suffering, and the merit gained by ones who honor the Buddhas or their disciples.

Dhammapada verses 273–289 emphasize the eightfold path as the foremost way to liberation, seeing the impermanent, unsatisfactory, and not-self nature of all things. Further, the verses mention the relation of meditation and wisdom, They mention restraint, how wisdom through meditation, on cutting off the forest as well as the undergrowth, and making swift effort to purify by the way of practice leading to Nibbāna.

Dhammapada verses 290–305 share on the renunciation of lesser happiness for greater joy, mindfulness of the body, and applying effort to overcome defilements. Further, the verses highlight the harm of neglecting what should be done, consequence of imposing suffering on another, while praising recollection of the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha as well as the qualities of mindfulness, non-violence, and cultivation. The verses conclude with the benefits of solitude and the wilderness for those who are energetic and self-restrained.

Dhammapada verses 360–382 depict the ideal bhikkhu as one who restrains the senses, body, speech, and mind, leading to freedom from suffering. Emphasis is placed on mindfulness, inner joy, collectedness, and self-reliance. Through discipline and reflection, the bhikkhu advances towards the peace of Nibbāna, shining like the moon freed from clouds.

One is incapable of ending suffering without directly knowing and completely comprehending everything, without the mind detaching from it and without abandoning it. One is capable of ending suffering by directly knowing and completely comprehending everything, with the mind detaching from it, and by abandoning it.

One is incapable of ending suffering without directly knowing and completely comprehending conceit, without the mind detaching from it and without abandoning it. One is capable of ending suffering by directly knowing and completely comprehending conceit, with the mind detaching from it, and by abandoning it.

One is incapable of ending suffering without directly knowing and completely comprehending greed, without the mind detaching from it and without abandoning it. One is capable of ending suffering by directly knowing and completely comprehending greed, with the mind detaching from it, and by abandoning it.

One is incapable of ending suffering without directly knowing and completely comprehending aversion, without the mind detaching from it and without abandoning it. One is capable of ending suffering by directly knowing and completely comprehending aversion, with the mind detaching from it, and by abandoning it.

One is incapable of ending suffering without directly knowing and completely comprehending illusion, without the mind detaching from it and without abandoning it. One is capable of ending suffering by directly knowing and completely comprehending illusion, with the mind detaching from it, and by abandoning it.

One is incapable of ending suffering without directly knowing and completely comprehending anger, without the mind detaching from it and without abandoning it. One is capable of ending suffering by directly knowing and completely comprehending anger, with the mind detaching from it, and by abandoning it.

One is incapable of ending suffering without directly knowing and completely comprehending contempt, with the mind detaching from it and without abandoning it. One is capable of ending suffering by directly knowing, by completely comprehending contempt, with the mind detaching from it, and by abandoning it.

The Buddha describes the fetter of craving as the most significant bond, bound by which, beings continue wandering on in cyclic existence.

The Buddha shares the consequences of causing division within the monastic community.

The Buddha describes the vast accumulation of bones that would result from wandering and transmigrating for an aeon.

A person endowed with the two qualities of guarding the sense doors and moderation in eating lives with discontentedness in this very life and after death, a bad destination is expected.

The Buddha describes the sentient beings who lack in wisdom as truly deprived, dwelling in suffering, annoyance, hardship, and distress.

The Buddha describes the two behaviors that lead to suffering and rebirth in hell if not abandoned.

The Buddha describes how to see the three felt experiences that are experienced on contact through the sense doors - pleasant, painful, and neither-painful-nor-pleasant.

The body is fragile, consciousness is of a fading nature. All substrates of existence are impermanent, dissatisfactory, and subject to change.

The Buddha explains how the livelihood of subsisting on alms, although an extreme of livelihoods, is a sensible choice for those who hope to discern a complete end to the entire mass of suffering.

The Buddha describes the true ascetic and brahmin as one who understands the four noble truths.

The Buddha describes the four uprisings of craving that can arise in a bhikkhu - 1) for a robe, 2) alms food, 3) lodging, and 4) for this or that state of existence.

Using the simile of an elephant’s footprint, the Buddha illustrates how confidence in him develops gradually through practice. A noble disciple trains in conduct, sense restraint, contentment, and mindfulness, progressing through the jhānas. Unshakable confidence in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha arises through direct knowledge and liberation.

After Devadatta’s departure, the Buddha taught that the spiritual life is not pursued for acquisitions, respect, popularity, ethical conduct, collectedness, or knowledge and vision. Through the simile of a man seeking heartwood, he cautioned that settling for these lesser attainments is like mistaking bark or branches for the heartwood—the true goal being the unshakeable liberation of mind.

The Buddha explains the four cases of taking up practices, based on whether they are pleasant or painful now and whether they ripen as suffering or a pleasant abiding in the future.

True peace is found not through suppression or indulgence, but through understanding. The Buddha teaches how to discern a practice that is a source of conflict and that which is free from conflict, addressing the pursuit of sensual joy, self-mortification, evaluation of different modes of pleasure, and distinguishing between different kinds of speech.

The Buddha affirms the Four Noble Truths as the core of his teaching and praises venerable Sāriputta’s deep understanding of them, who then expounds the truths, detailing suffering in all its forms, the arising of suffering rooted in craving, the ending of suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path as the way of practice leading to the end suffering.

Verses depicting the uncertain, brief, and suffering-laden nature of mortal life, emphasizing the inevitability of death for all beings, like ripe fruits fated to fall. The Buddha counsels against futile grief and lamentation over the departed, urging the wise to understand the world’s relentless course of decay and death.

In this teaching, the Buddha succinctly shares the allure and the drawbacks of desiring sensual pleasures.

Eight verses on overcoming the mire of delusion by avoiding attachment to sensory pleasures, discerning their causes, and practicing for being free of ‘mine’.

A radiant deity tempts young Samiddhi to enjoy sensual pleasures. The Buddha later reveals that true liberation transcends identity and craving, and is only found by those who let go of even the need to describe themselves.

A deity asks the Buddha what gives rise to a person, what does he have that wanders about, what experiences cyclic existence, and what is this person‘s great fear.

A deity asks the Buddha what gives rise to a person, what does he have that wanders about, what experiences cyclic existence, and from what is this person not yet freed.

A deity asks the Buddha what serves as a person‘s companion, what instructs him, and delighting in what is a mortal freed from all suffering.

A brahmin asks the Buddha whether the one who acts is the same as the one who experiences the result. The Buddha points these as two extreme views, and without approaching either, explains the arising of suffering and its ending through the principle of dependent co-arising.

Using the simile of a great tree nourished by sap, the Buddha explains that perceiving gratification in graspable objects fuels craving and perpetuates suffering, whereas seeing their drawbacks leads to the cessation of craving and the end of suffering.

The Buddha contrasts the body’s visible decay with the mind’s instability, which is clung to as ‘self’, comparing it to a restless monkey jumping between branches. He teaches that wisdom arises from understanding the full twelve-link chain of dependent co-arising, which explains the origin and cessation of all suffering.

The Buddha uses a simile of a bronze cup of beverage mixed with poison to illustrate how craving for agreeable and pleasant sense experiences leads to acquisition and suffering, while wisely seeing their impermanent nature leads to the ending of suffering through the abandoning of craving.

What is the burden and who bears it, what is the taking up of the burden and the putting down of it.

By clinging to the five aggregates, one experiences pleasure and pain.

The Buddha contrasts the suffering experienced by gods and humans, who delight in impermanent sense objects, with the contentment of the Tathāgata who understands their true nature, highlighting the differing views of happiness held by the world and the Noble Ones.

The Buddha explains to the headman Bhadraka the root cause of suffering through a direct and relatable inquiry. When Bhadraka admits to feeling sorrow when those he cares about are harmed, the Buddha skillfully reveals that such sorrow arises not from the events themselves but from one’s own attachment and desire.

Whether in the past, future, or present, all fully awakened to things as they truly are do so by fully awakening to the Four Noble Truths.

The Buddha explains what causes the hindrances to arise and how to abandon them.

The Buddha contrasts the undeveloped and developed mind.

The Buddha explains the three bases of sectarian views that when closely examined, culminate in inaction. He then shares the Dhamma that is irrefutable, undefiled, blameless, and not disapproved of by the wise.

The venerable Nandaka teaches Sāḷha and his friend about how to independently verify the unwholesome and wholesome mental qualities.

The Buddha describes the four kinds of kamma (actions) and their results in detail.

One who delights in personal existence does not have an auspicious death. One who delights in Nibbāna and gives up personal existence has an auspicious death.

One who delights in personal existence dies with regret and their passing away is not fortunate. One who delights in Nibbāna and gives up personal existence dies without regret and their passing away is fortunate.

A wanderer tries to acquire oil for his wife by drinking it and intending to regurgitate it later. This causes him terrible pain. The Buddha uses this to teach that attachment to possessions leads to suffering, while true happiness belongs to those who are free from such entanglements.

The Buddha expresses an inspired utterance to Visākhā on how all under another’s control brings suffering.

If suffering is displeasing to you, do not commit evil deeds, whether openly or in secret.