Full Text of the Dhammapada, Free for Anyone to Download

When your mind feels heavy, or when you need a light or direction in life

I'm posting this so you can open it when your mind feels heavy, or when you need a light or a sense of direction in life.

What Kind of Book Is the Dhammapada?

The Dhammapada (法句經) is a Buddhist scripture that gathers short poetic verses from the Buddha's words spoken in many places. In Pali, it is called Dhammapada. Dhamma means truth or teaching, and pada means path or verse. The title can be read as the path of truth, or the verses of truth.

It contains 423 verses and is arranged into 26 chapters. They are grouped by theme, such as Pairs, Heedfulness, Mind, Flowers, and Fools. A verse is often four or eight lines. It reads in one breath. Yet after you read it, one sentence can stay with you for a long time.

It is one of the world's widely translated Buddhist scriptures. Beyond Japan, China, and Southeast Asia, hundreds of translations have appeared in Europe and the United States. It has also been one of the books Western thinkers often opened first when they met Eastern thought. Its strength lies in clear language, insight anyone can recognize, and lines that each reader can hold up to life.

One reason the Dhammapada stands apart is that it doesn't ask readers to climb through a hard system of doctrine. It doesn't force metaphysics on anyone.

"The person who can govern anger is truly strong."
"The mind makes all things."
"Before blaming others, look within yourself."

These words go straight into the concrete places of daily life. Even if you don't receive Buddhism as a religion, you can read the book as wisdom for living.

At the end of a heavy day, open one or two verses. There may be a day when one sentence enters your chest. That day changes a little.

Download the Files

These two files are the complete Korean translation of the Dhammapada. There are no limits on taking them with you.

Copyright Note

The Dhammapada gathers the Buddha's words from 2,500 years ago. Because it is the teaching of a sage, there is no copyright. Anyone may freely download and read it, and you may pass it on to people around you. You may print and share it. You may repost it elsewhere. Words like these are meant to travel from person to person.

You may send it to someone close to you. If someone comes to mind who is going through a hard season, please send this link to that person. One verse may hold up a part of someone's day.

How to Read It

You don't have to read it from the beginning. Skim the table of contents and open the chapter that touches you. Or open any page and slowly read the first verse your eyes meet that day. People who have read the Dhammapada for years often suggest staying with one verse a day.

Read briefly. Think long.
A single line can carry you through a day.