Dhammapada Commentary ( Dhammapada Atthakatha )
Edited by
Bhikkhu Pesala
21 — Pakinnaka Vagga
Miscellaneous
Give Up Lesser Happiness for Greater Bliss
1. Mattāsukhapariccāgā, passe ce vipulaṃ sukhaṃ
Caje mattā sukhaṃ dhīro, sampassaṃ vipulaṃ sukhaṃ.290
1. If by giving up a lesser happiness, one may see a greater one, let the wise
man give up the lesser happiness in consideration of the greater
happiness.
The Famine at Vesālī
At one time, due to drought the crops failed, and the people of Vesālī
suffered from a famine. Many poor people died, and their rotting corpses
attracted evil spirits. The stench made more people sick. The Licchavīs sent
prince Mahāli with the son of the head priest with precious gifts to King
Bimbisāra at Rājagaha with a request to send the Buddha. King Bimbisāra, instead
of granting their request, said, “You should know what to do.” They approached
the Buddha and requested him to come, and he agreed to their request.
Hearing that the Buddha intended to go to Vesālī, King Bimbisāra asked him
to wait while he had the road prepared, and having done that, accompanied the
Teacher in state to the banks of the Ganges, arriving there in five days, pausing
each night in a rest house that had been specially constructed for each day’s
journey. Two boats were lashed together, decorated and a message was sent to
the Licchavī’s to come and receive the Buddha. King Bimbisāra promised to wait
there until the Buddha’s return. As soon as the Buddha set foot on the other bank
of the Ganges a great rain storm came up and washed the region clean.
Honouring the Buddha even more than King Bimbisāra had done, the Licchavīs
escorted him on the three days’ journey to Vesālī and accommodated him in the
heart of the city.
The Buddha taught the Ratana Sutta to the Elder Ānanda, and instructed him
to circumambulate the city three times accompanied by the Licchavī princes. The
elder took water in the Buddha’s stone almsbowl, and standing at the gate of the
city, contemplated the Buddha’s incomparable perfections and victory over Māra
on the throne of Enlightenment. Then he entered the city, and during the three
watches of the night circumambulated the city three times within the walls
reciting the Ratana Sutta. The evil spirits fled, breaking down the walls in their
rush to escape, and the sick were cured. The people prepared a seat for the
Buddha in the city hall, and when the Elder Ānanda returned accompanied by a
great multitude of the people who had been cured, the Buddha recited the Ratana
Sutta again, and eighty-four thousand beings gained insight into the Dhamma.
On seven days the Buddha recited the same sutta, then the Licchavī princes
escorted him back to the Ganges. The Nāgas created boats of precious materials
and the deities held aloft umbrellas. Thus this miracle of crossing the Ganges was
glorious like the occasions of the Twin Miracle and the descent from Tāvatiṃsa.
When he reached the other side, King Bimbisāra greeted him and escorted him
back to Rājagaha in state.
The following day, when the monks were talking about the great honours
paid to the Buddha, he came and related how, in a previous life, as the Brahmin
Saṅkha he had paid homage at the shrine of his son, Susīma, who had been a
Solitary Buddha. Thus in this life great honours had been rendered to him.
Do Not Return Hatred with Hatred
2. Paradukkhūpadānena, attano sukham icchati
Verasaṃsaggasaṃsaṭṭho, verā so na parimuccati.291
2. He who wishes his own happiness by causing pain to others is not
released from hatred, being himself entangled in the tangles of hatred.
The Hen’s Eggs
A fisherman found some turtle’s eggs on the banks of the Aciravatī river.
Taking them with him to Sāvatthī he had them cooked in a certain house, and
gave one to a girl who lived there. Thereafter, she would eat nothing but eggs.
Her mother gave her hen’s eggs, and whenever the hen laid eggs the girl took
them to eat. The hen hated the girl, and on her deathbed vowed vengeance.
Throughout many lives the two were sworn enemies and ate each other’s
offspring. During the time of the Buddha, one was born as the daughter of a
family at Sāvatthi, and the other was an ogress. The Buddha reconciled them and
their hatred was finally appeased. This story is also told in the Yamaka Vagga,
verse 5.
Defilements Multiply in the Conceited
3. Yañhi kiccaṃ apaviddhaṃ,
1
akiccaṃ pana kayirati
Unnaḷānaṃ pamattānaṃ,
tesaṃ vaḍḍhanti āsavā.292
4. Yesañca susamāraddhā, niccaṃ kāyagatā sati
Akiccaṃ te na sevanti, kicce sātaccakārino
Satānaṃ sampajānānaṃ, atthaṃ gacchanti āsavā.293
3. What should have been done is not done, what should not have been
done is done. Defilements multiply in the conceited and heedless.
4. Those who diligently practise mindfulness of the body, who avoid what
should not be done, and always do what should be done, the defilements
of those who are mindful and clearly comprehending come to an end.
The Bhaddīya Monks
Some monks at the Jātiyā forest in Bhaddīya spent them time in making and
designing various kinds of ornamented sandals, neglecting their monastic duties.
The Buddha rebuked them and uttered the above verses.
A Saint Goes Ungrieving
5. Mātaraṃ pitaraṃ hantvā, rājāno dve ca khattiye
Raṭṭhaṃ sānucaraṃ hantvā, anīgho yāti brāhmaṇo.294
6. Mātaraṃ pitaraṃ hantvā, rājāno dve ca sotthiye
Veyyagghapañcamaṃ hantvā, anīgho yāti brāhmaṇo.295
5. Having slain mother2 and father2 and two warrior kings,
3 and having
destroyed a country4 together with its chancellor,
5 a Saint goes
ungrieving.
6
6. Having slain mother and father and two brahmin kings, and having
destroyed the perilous path,
7 a Saint goes ungrieving.
1
tadapaviddhaṃ
2
Craving;
2
Conceit;
3
Eternalism and Nihilism;
4
Six sense doors and six sense-objects;
5
Attachment;
6
Arahant (see also the Brāhmaṇa Vagga);
7
The five hindrances.
The Elder Lakuṇḍakabhaddiya
When many visiting monks arrived, the Buddha pointed out the Elder
Lakuṇḍakabhaddiya who was an Arahant and short in stature. In reference to him
he uttered the first of the above verses. The monks, wondering what the Buddha
was talking about, later realised what he meant and gained Arahantship.
On another occasion the Buddha recited the second verse, also in reference to
the same elder.
Meditate Constantly
7. Suppabuddhaṃ pabujjhanti, sadā Gotamasāvakā
Yesaṃ divā ca ratto ca, niccaṃ buddhagatā sati.296
8. Suppabuddhaṃ pabujjhanti, sadā Gotamasāvakā
Yesaṃ divā ca ratto ca, niccaṃ dhammagatā sati.297
9. Suppabuddhaṃ pabujjhanti, sadā Gotamasāvakā
Yesaṃ divā ca ratto ca, niccaṃ saṅghagatā sati.298
10. Suppabuddhaṃ pabujjhanti, sadā Gotamasāvakā
Yesaṃ divā ca ratto ca, niccaṃ kāyagatā sati.299
11. Suppabuddhaṃ pabujjhanti, sadā Gotamasāvakā
Yesaṃ divā ca ratto ca, ahiṃsāya rato mano.300
12. Suppabuddhaṃ pabujjhanti, sadā Gotamasāvakā
yesaṃ divā ca ratto ca, bhāvanāya rato mano.301
7. Well awake the disciples of Gotama ever arise —
they who by day and night always contemplate the Buddha.
8. Well awake the disciples of Gotama ever arise —
they who by day and night always contemplate the Dhamma.
9. Well awake the disciples of Gotama ever arise —
they who by day and night always contemplate the Sangha.
10. Well awake the disciples of Gotama ever arise —
they who by day and night always contemplate the body.
11. Well awake the disciples of Gotama ever arise —
they who by day and night delight in harmlessness.
12. Well awake the disciples of Gotama ever arise —
they who by day and night delight in meditation.
The Wood-cutter’s Son
Two boys in Rājagaha were friends. One was the son of a believer, while the
other was the son of non-believers. Whenever they played ball, the believer’s son
recited “Homage to the Buddha” and won the game every time. The other boy
noticed this, and also learnt to recite “Namo Buddhassa.” One day, his father, who
was a wood-cutter, set off to the forest with his ox-cart, taking his son with him.
At the end of the day the man released his oxen in a pleasant grove where there
was water and grass, and took a rest. The oxen followed a herd of cows back into
the city, so the man left his son and set off in pursuit of his oxen. By the time he
had found his oxen, the city gate was locked, and he was unable to fetch his ox-
cart where his son was still waiting. As night fell, the boy fell asleep. That place
was near a burning ground haunted by goblins. Two of them spotted the youth —
one was a believer and one was a non-believer. The goblin who was a non-
believer decided to eat the boy in spite of the warnings of the other. When the
goblin pulled the boy’s feet, he awoke and recited “Namo Buddhassa.” The goblin
leapt back, and afraid of what might happen, the goblin who was a believer stood
guard over the boy, while the other stole a golden bowl from the king’s palace,
inscribed some words on it, and placed it in the cart. In the morning, the theft
was discovered and the boy was arrested and questioned. He replied that his
parents had brought him food during the night, and he had gone back to sleep.
That was all he knew. The boy’s parents told the king their story, and the king
took all three to the Buddha who told the king all that had happened.
The king asked if meditation on the Buddha alone was a protection, and the
Buddha replied with the above verses, explaining that all of these six kinds of
meditation were beneficial.
On the conclusion of the discourse the boy and his parents all attained
Stream-winning. Later they went forth and attained Arahantship.
Renunciation is Difficult
13. Duppabbajjaṃ durabhiramaṃ, durāvāsā gharā dukhā
Dukkho’samānasaṃvāso, dukkhānupatitaddhagū
Tasmā na c’addhagū siyā, na ca dukkhānupatito siyā.302
13. Renunciation is difficult, it is difficult to delight therein. Difficult and
painful is household life. Painful is association with those who are
incompatible. Ill befalls a wayfarer (in saṃsāra). Therefore be not a
wayfarer, be not a pursuer of ill.
The Vajjian Prince
A Vajjian prince became a monk and was meditating alone in a forest near
Vesālī. At night he heard the festive music in the city and became discontented
with his solitary life. Comparing himself to a log cast away in the forest, he
thought that no one was as unfortunate as himself. A tree-deity admonished him
in verse, that those in hell envied those in heaven, and that householders envied
recluses who live alone in the forest. In the morning, the monk went to the
Buddha and related what had happened. Thereupon the Buddha uttered the above
verse on the difficulties of household life, and the monk attained Arahantship.
The Devout Are Respected Everywhere
14. Saddho sīlena sampanno, yasobhogasamappito
Yaṃ yaṃ padesaṃ bhajati, tattha tattheva pūjito.303
14. He who is full of confidence and virtue, possessed of fame and wealth,
he is honoured everywhere, in whatever land he sojourns.
Citta the Householder
A devout follower was greatly honoured when he visited the Buddha. The
Elder Ānanda inquired of the Buddha whether he would have received the same
honours if he had visited some other religious teacher. Thereupon the Buddha
uttered this verse. The full story is told in the Bala Vagga, verse 74.
The Good Can Be Seen From Afar
15. Dūre santo pakāsanti, himavanto’va pabbato
Asant’ettha na dissanti, ratti khittā yathā sarā.304
15. Even from afar like the Himalaya mountain the good reveal themselves.
The wicked, though near, are invisible like arrows shot by night.
Cūḷa Subhaddā’s Story
When they were students, the householders Ugga and Anāthapiṇḍika studied
under the same teacher and became close friends. They agreed that when they
had their own children they would arrange a marriage between their families.
One day, the millionaire Ugga came to Sāvatthī with five hundred carts laden
with good for trade. When he arrived, Anāthapiṇḍika offered him hospitality and
instructed his daughter Cūḷa Subhaddā to attend to all of his needs. Delighted
with her gracious conduct he reminded Anāthapiṇḍika of their agreement and
asked him to give her hand to his own son in marriage. Knowing that his friend
Ugga was a non-believer, Anāthapiṇḍika consulted the Buddha. Considering
whether Ugga had the potential for gaining confidence in the Dhamma, the
Buddha gave his blessing, and Anāthapiṇḍika agreed to the marriage. He
admonished his daughter on the ten duties of a faithful daughter-in-law, and sent
his daughter with Ugga, bearing lavish gifts, and accompanied by eight laymen
who were to protect her good name.
In her honour, alms was offered to the naked ascetics, but though requested
by her father-in-law to wait on them, she was too modesty to do so. Her father-
in-law was deeply offended, and asked for her to be thrown out of the house. She
summoned the laymen and protested her innocence. When she told her mother-
in-law how the Buddha and his disciples were impervious to the eight worldly
vicissitudes1 she requested her to invite them to a meal on the following day. Cūḷa
Subhaddā went to her room and made an earnest wish, casting eight handfuls of
jasmine flowers, and inviting the Buddha for alms the following day. The flowers
flew to Sāvatthī of their own accord and arranged themselves in a canopy over
the Buddha’s head as he preached to the fourfold assembly.
Meanwhile, back in Sāvatthī, after listening to the sermon by the Buddha,
Anāthapiṇḍika invited him for the meal on the following day. The Buddha
remarked that he had already accepted an invitation from his daughter Cūḷa
Subhaddā who had just been given in marriage. Anāthapiṇḍika expressed his
surprise as she was living far away. Thereupon the Buddha uttered the above
verse, and many gained Stream-winning on hearing the verse.
Sakka the king of the gods ordered the deities to make five hundred
dwellings with peaked roofs. The following day, the Buddha selected five
hundred Arahants, and each seated in a dwelling, they went to Ugga. Cūḷa
Subhaddā asked her father-in-law where to wait to greet the Buddha. Seeing him
arrive in great splendour, Ugga paid homage and invited him into his house,
1
Gain and loss, fame and defame, praise and blame, pleasure and pain.
offering lavish alms for seven days. The Buddha instructed the Arahant
Anuruddha to remain behind, and thus Ugga became a city of faithful followers.
Delight in Solitude
16. Ekāsanaṃ ekaseyyaṃ, eko caram atandito
Eko damayam attānaṃ, vanante ramito siyā.305
16. He who sits alone, rests alone, walks alone, resolute,
who in solitude controls himself, will find delight in the forest.
The Solitary Elder
Praising the solitary life led by a certain monk, the Buddha uttered the above
verse.
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