A grieving mother seeks a mustard seed to revive her dead son and learns, house by house, that death spares no family, per the Dhammapada commentary on verses 287 and 114.
Two Kings on a Narrow Road
The Dhammapada's Bhikkhu Vagga (verses 360–382) describes the monastic ideal: sensory restraint, meditation, and self-reliance toward Nibbāna.
The Dhammapada's climactic Brāhmaṇa Vagga (verses 383–423): the Buddha redefines 'true Brahmin' as the awakened Arahat, not by birth or ritual.
Dhammapada chapter on the rod (verses 129–145): all beings fear violence and cherish life, so the seeker puts himself in others' place and harms none.
The Dhammapada's Dhammaṭṭha Vagga (verses 256–272) teaches that true righteousness comes from inner virtue, not titles, age, or appearance.
Dhammapada chapter on old age (verses 146–156), including the house-builder verses on craving and the impermanence of the body.
The Dhammapada's Kodha Vagga (verses 221–234) teaches overcoming anger and pride through patience, truth, and conquering hatred with love.
The Dhammapada's Magga Vagga (verses 273–289) proclaims the Noble Eightfold Path and the three marks of existence as the way to liberation.
The Dhammapada's Mala Vagga (verses 235–255) examines mental defilements and impurities, naming ignorance as the deepest taint to purify.
The Dhammapada's Nāga Vagga (verses 320–333) uses the elephant as a symbol of endurance, self-mastery, and the worth of wise solitude.
The Dhammapada's Niraya Vagga (verses 306–319) warns of the karmic consequences of hypocrisy, false views, and moral corruption.
The Pakinnaka Vagga, chapter 21 of the Pali Canon's Dhammapada, gathers sixteen verses (290-305) on renunciation, mindfulness of the Triple Gem, and solitary practice.
Dhammapada chapter on evil (verses 116–128): be quick to do good, for small wrongs fill a life like drops filling a jar and no place hides one from karma.
Dhammapada chapter on flowers (verses 44–59): garlands, honeybees and fragrance that travels against the wind teach a life of virtue before death comes.
The Dhammapada's Taṇhā Vagga (verses 334–359) dissects craving as the root of suffering, culminating in the praise of the gift of Dhamma.