The Commentary on the Dhammapada

A woodcut depicts a pair of palm-leaf folios, known as "Ola" leaves, used in traditional Sri Lankan manuscript culture. The leaves are held together by a thin, dark binding cord threaded through two circular holes, a method that preserves the historical integrity of the text.

Armed with the armor of the True Dhamma original: "saddhamma", having defeated the ten-fold Mara the personification of death and desire, and having attained victory in the supreme battlefield of youth referring to the Buddha's struggle against worldly defilements, I offer my homage to the refuge of our Great Teacher, the Buddha, the Lord of the Three Worlds. I write this account of offerings as stated below, following the custom of the kings of old. This record was written in accordance with the traditions of ancient monarchs. Furthermore, this Great True Dhamma, which exists for the welfare of all beings, is held in the assembly of Shakra, the King of Gods.

A small, circular hole, incised to accommodate the binding cord.

Established in the path of the Buddha, endowed with the perfection of wisdom prajñāpāramitā perfection of wisdom, and unshaken by the eight worldly conditions gain and loss, status and disgrace, blame and praise, pleasure and pain, these interpretations are presented by grounding them in the discourses suttas discourses of the Buddha found in the aforementioned collections. To facilitate the use by the community of monks and to ensure no hindrance occurs to monastic discipline vinaya monastic code, these were preserved in secret. They are performed in accordance with appropriate rituals and established traditions suitable for noble ascetics. Subsequently, it is said thus... the intention of this writing is...

A small, circular hole, incised to accommodate the binding cord.

The aforementioned matters are as follows... Therefore, one should listen to and learn these words of Dhamma well. This propagation of the Dhamma must be performed properly? for the sake of the Nirvana of beings. At the end, by engaging in the ten meritorious deeds acts of generosity, morality, meditation, etc. and obtaining the treasures of the heavenly realms... arriving at the wish to cross over the suffering of the cycle of existence samsara the cycle of birth and death. It is fitting that this should be read and understood until the end.

It is the ultimate goal that the heart is always delighted by hearing the True Dhamma. This ecclesiastical? document, written later by the order of the kings, should be read so that one may understand the words of the Dhamma well and make one’s life meaningful. Based on the advice of the great venerable elders who lived at that time... this work was compiled... the True Dhamma original: "śrī saddharma" spoken by the auspicious mouth of the All-Knowing One.

A small, circular hole, incised to accommodate the binding cord.

In the reigns of the kings of old, this offering was connected? to the past. To disseminate the meaningful messages found in the wonderful Dhamma teachings, this document, known as a sannāsa royal grant or decree, was held? at the royal court. Based on the instructions received from that, along with the retinue, living in the forest... the venerable monks... while walking on the aforementioned path of Dhamma...

A small, circular hole, incised to accommodate the binding cord.

In this way, this noble? Dhamma is for the benefit of all beings. May peace arise in the world through the power of the immeasurable Dhamma. A path is cleared? to obtain divine and human wealth. May all who read and see these letters receive health and longevity?. I pray for the refuge of the Buddha. May this be a cause to see the future Buddha Maitreya and realize Nirvana.