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Origin and Development
*The first gatha in the Dhammapada Sutra was translated from Pali in the third century by the lay friend Chi Khiem, based on two Buddhist sources: one from Sanskrit (Sarvāstivāda school) and one from Pali (Tamrasatiya school—later known as the Theravāda). After more than a hundred years of unity, the Sangha divided into two schools: the conservative minority (Sarvāstivāda, which advocated for the doctrine of real existence) and the progressive majority (Mahāsanghika). King Ashoka and his son Mahinda transmitted the Dharma of the Tamrasatiya school to Sri Lanka, leaving behind the Southern Pali scriptures with 26 corresponding chapters. The Chinese Dhammapada expanded to 39 chapters (the first 8 chapters excerpted from the Sarvāstivāda, the middle 26 corresponding to the Pali version, and the last 5 from the Tamrasatiya school).
*The Dharma talk emphasizes eight core aspects of practice:
- Genuine faith in the Dharma (signified by “Delight”—a love for practice).
- Not seeking unreasonable luck or following blind belief.
- Choosing and creating a wholesome living environment (“Choosing good dwelling”).
- Moderation, observing precepts as “the law of moderation” for true freedom.
- Filial piety to parents, managing the family, and maintaining wholesome merit.
- Not being arrogant, knowing contentment (Santuṣṭa), and reflecting deeply (“repeated contemplation”).
- Listening to the Dharma and putting it into practice right away (“the mind of immediate realization”).
- Practicing mindfulness in every moment (“This is a happy moment”).
