Buddhist Proverbs

Dhamma Study Certificate Program

for Elementary Level

Course Title: Buddhist Proverbs

(Buddhasāsanasubhāsita)


Dhamma Study Project (Nakdhamma) for General Public

is organized by The Chiang Mai Sangha Council, Thailand


1. Instructor    

(1) Phra Worawut Suddhapañño, Ph.D.  

2. Class Room & Meeting Time

Building……….. Room…………. Wat Suan Dok, Chiang Mai

Via Zoom Program: Meeting ID:…………………… Passcode: ………………..

Meeting time: Sunday 15.00-16.30

3. Learning Objectives

(1) For the development of faith toward the Triple Gems.

(2) For the understanding of Buddhism and various Dhamma through Buddhism proverbs.

(3) To be able to apply the dhamma from Buddhist proverbs to live good life.

4. Course Description

Study various Bhuddhist proverbs selected from Tipitaka organizing in grouped manner: Attavagga (The Self), Appamādavagga (Carefulness), Kammavagga  (Deeds or Actions), Kilesavagga (Evil passion), Kodhavagga (Anger), Khantivagga (Patience), Cittavagga (The Mind), Jayavagga (Victory), Dānavagga (Giving), Dukkhavagga (Suffering), Dhammavagga (Righteousness), Pakiṇṇakavagga (Miscellaneous), Paññāvagga (Wisdom), Pamādavagga (Carelessness), Pāpavagga (Evil), Puggalavagga (Persons), Puññavagga  (Merit), Maccuvagga (Death), Mittavagga (Friendship), Yācanāvagga (Begging), Rājavagga – (King), Vācāvagga (Speech), Viriyavagga (Effort), Veravagga (Hatred), Saccavagga (Truth), Sativagga (Mindfulness), Saddhāvagga (Faith), Santuṭṭhivagga (Contentment), Samaṇavagga (Recluse), Sāmaggīvagga  (Unity), Sīlavagga (Precepts), Sukhavagga (Happiness), Sevanāvagga (Association).

5. Hours of Studying (45 hours; 15 lectures)

TheorySelf-StudyPracticeAdditional Class
22:30 Hrs22:30 Hrs

6. Learning Structure

In class and via zoom program

Saturday 13:00 – 14:30

7. Learning Method

(1) Students should participate in all provided lectures.

(2) Self-study is recommended through other relevant resources.

8. Evaluation and Grading

(1) Course completion is evaluated based on the result of the final examination.

(2) Students must attend at lease 80 percent of the learning schedule.

(3) Grading system is described below:

ClassificationScoreGrade
Honor90-100H
Satisfied60-89S
Unsatisfied<59U

9. Learning Outcome

(1) Remember some of the Buddhist proverbs (at least 1 from each group), and able to explain their meanings.

(2) Able to read romanized Pāli, and understand some basic vocabulary.

(3) Know the abbreviations of the reference of each Buddhist proverb.

Learning Content

WeekSubject / DescriptionHourTeaching MethodInstructor
1– Introduction to Buddhist Proverbs
– Attavagga (The Self)
1:30 hrsLecture & DiscussionPhra Worawut
2– Appamādavagga (Carefulness),
– Kammavagga  (Deeds or Action)
1:30 hrsLecture & DiscussionPhra Worawut
3– Kilesavagga (Evil passion)
– Kodhavagga (Anger)
1:30 hrsLecture & DiscussionPhra Worawut
4– Kodhavagga (Anger)
– Khantivagga (Patience)
– Cittavagga (The Mind)
1:30 hrsLecture & Discussion  Phra Worawut  
5– Jayavagga (Victory)
– Dānavagga (Giving)
– Dukkhavagga (Suffering)
1:30 hrsLecture & Discussion  Phra Worawut  
6– Dhammavagga (Righteousness)
– Pakiṇṇakavagga (Miscellaneous)
1:30 hrsLecture & DiscussionPhra Worawut
7– Pakiṇṇakavagga (Miscellaneous)1:30 hrsLecture & DiscussionPhra Worawut
8– Paññāvagga (Wisdom)
– Pamādavagga (Carelessness)
1:30 hrsLecture & DiscussionPhra Worawut
9– Pāpavagga (Evil)
– Puggalavagga (Persons)
1:30 hrsLecture & DiscussionPhra Worawut
10– Puggalavagga (Persons)1:30 hrsLecture & DiscussionPhra Worawut
11– Puggalavagga (Persons)
– Puññavagga  (Merit)
– Maccuvagga (Death)
1:30 hrsLecture & Discussion  Phra Worawut  
12– Mittavagga (Friendship)
– Yācanāvagga (Begging)
– Rājavagga (King)
– Vācāvagga (Speech)
1:30 hrsLecture & Discussion  Phra Worawut  
13– Viriyavagga (Effort)
– Veravagga (Hatred)
– Saccavagga (Truth)
– Sativagga (Mindfulness)
– Saddhāavagga (Faith)
– Santuṭṭhivagga (Contentment)
1:30 hrsLecture & Discussion  Phra Worawut  
14– Samaṇavagga (Recluse)
– Sāmaggīvagga  (Unity)
– Sīlavagga (Precepts)
– Sukhavagga (Happiness)
1:30 hrsLecture & Discussion  Phra Worawut  
15– Sevanāvagga (Association)
– Conclusion
1:30 hrsLecture & DiscussionPhra Worawut
Final Examination

10. Reference

(1)  Buddhasasana Subhasita –  Buddhist Proverbs:  Book I,  HRH Prince Vajirañāṇavarorasa, Mahāmakuta Rājavidyālaya Press.

(2) The Student’s Pali-English Dictionary, Maung Tin, British Burma Press, Rangoon. 1920.