Question

Chapter in Pāli ‘Dhammapada’ texts are called ___________ :

• A. Saggo
• B. Sutto
• C. Vaggo
• D. Dhammo

Hint:

Think of Vaggo as "Group." The *Dhammapada* is a "Group of Groups" of verses. There are 26 such groups (Vaggos) in total.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: The *Dhammapada* is one of the most beloved and widely read Buddhist scriptures, part of the *Khuddaka Nikaya* of the Pali Canon. It consists of 423 verses spoken by the Buddha on various occasions. To organize these ethical and philosophical teachings, the text is divided into thematic sections. Understanding the terminology of Buddhist textual organization is essential for studying the Tipitaka.

Step 1: Identifying the term for "Chapter" in Pali literature. In the Pali Canon, particularly in the *Dhammapada*, the thematic chapters are called Vaggo (Sanskrit: *Varga*). The word "Vaggo" literally means a group, a section, or a class. The *Dhammapada* is divided into 26 Vaggos, such as the *Yamaka-vaggo* (The Twin Verses), *Appamada-vaggo* (The Vigilance Section), and *Braahmana-vaggo* (The Brahmin Section).

Step 2: Differentiating from other Buddhist terms.
• Sutto: (Sanskrit: *Sutra*) This refers to a discourse or a single teaching of the Buddha. A chapter contains many verses or suttas, but the chapter itself is not called a Sutto.
• Dhammo: This refers to the Teachings/Law/Truth itself, or a "phenomenon." It is the subject matter of the book, not its organizational unit.
• Saggo: (Sanskrit: *Swarga*) This refers to "Heaven" or a celestial realm. It is not used as a standard term for a chapter in the Pali Suttas.