The Suhṛllekha or ‘Friendly Epistle,’ is a letter in the form of a poem written to the South Indian King Gautamiputra by the famous philosopher Nāgārjuna in about 150/250 CE. In the poem’s 123 verses Nāgārjuna instructs the king in basic Buddhist teachings and encourages him to govern with humanity and justice. Although Nāgarjuna was a follower of Mahāyāna, there are only two verses in the poem, 120 and 121, that make any reference to Mahāyāna ideas. Most of the rest draws on concepts, similes and examples from the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka. The Suhṛllekha was composed in Sanskrit but was later translated into many languages. In Tibet, it continues to be read and studied even today.
Suhrllekha of Nagarjuna, Pema Tenzin,1996.