Learning from the Buddha's Teachings 從佛陀的教法中學習

  Aggidattabrahmana Vatthu  Dhammapada Verses 188 to 192 Bahum ve saranam yanti pabbatani vanani ca aramarukkhacetyani manussa bhayatajjita. Netam kho saranam khemam netam saranamuttamam netam saranamagamma sabbadukkha pamuccati. Yo ca buddhanca dhammanca samghanca saranam gato cattari ariyasaccani sammappannaya passati. Dukkham dukkhasamuppadam dukkhassa ca atikkamam ariyam catthangikam maggam dukkhupasamagaminam. Etam kho saranam khemam etam saranamuttamam etam saranamagamma sabbadukkha pamuccati. Verse 188: When threatened with danger, men go to many a refuge, - to mountains and forests, to parks and gardens, and to sacred trees. Verse 189: But such a refuge is not a safe refuge, not the best refuge. One is not liberated from all evil consequences of existence (dukkha) for having come to such a refuge. Verses 190 & 191: One, who takes refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Samgha, sees with Magga Insight the Four Noble Truths, viz., Dukkha, the Cause of Dukkha, the Ce...

  Anabhiratabhikkhu Vatthu  Dhammapada Verses 186 and 187 Na kahapana vassena titti kamesu vijjati appassada dukha kama iti vinnaya pandito. Api dibbesu kamesu ratim so nadhigacchati tanhakkhayarato hoti sammasambuddhasavako. Verses 186 & 187: Not by a shower of coins can sensual desires be satiated; sensual desires give little pleasure and are fraught with evil consequences (dukkha). Knowing this, the wise man, who is the disciple of the Buddha, does not find delight even in the pleasures of the devas, but rejoices in the cessation of craving (i.e., Nibbana). The Story of a Dissatisfied Young Bhikkhu While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (186) and (187) of this book, with reference to a young bhikkhu who was unhappy with his life as a bhikkhu. Once, there was a young bhikkhu at the Jetavana monastery. One day his teacher sent him to another monastery to study. While he was away, his father became seriously ill and died without seeing him. But...

Anandattherapanha Vatthu    Dhammapada Verses 183, 184 and 185 Sabbapapassa akaranam ku salassa upasampada sacittapariyodapanam etam buddhana sasanam. Khanti paramam tapo titikkha nibbanam paramam vadanti buddha na hi pabbajito parupaghati na samano hoti param vihethayanto. Anupavado anupaghato patimokkhe ca samvaro mattannuta ca bhattasmim pantanca sayanasanam adhicitte ca ayogo etam buddhana sasanam. Verse 183: Not to do evil, to cultivate merit, to purify one's mind - this is the Teaching of the Buddhas. Verse 184: The best moral practice is patience and forbearance; "Nibbana is Supreme", said the Buddhas. A bhikkhu does not harm others; one who harms others is not a bhikkhu. Verse 185: Not to revile, not to do any harm, to practise restraint according to the Fundamental Instructions for the bhikkhus, to be moderate in taking food, to dwell in a secluded place, to devote oneself to higher concentration - this is the Teaching of the Buddhas. The Story of the Question Ra...

  Erakapattanagaraja Vatthu  Dhammapada Verse 182 Kiccho manussapatilabho kiccham maccana jivitam kiccham saddhammassavanam kiccho buddhanamuppado. Verse 182: Hard to gain is birth as man; hard is the life of mortals; hard to get is the opportunity of hearing the Ariya Dhamma (Teaching of the Buddhas); hard it is for a Buddha to appear. The Story of Erakapatta the Naga King While residing near Baranasi the Buddha uttered Verse (182) of this book, with reference to Erakapatta, a king of nagas (dragons). Once there was a naga king by the name of Erakapatta. In one of his past existences during the time of Kassapa Buddha he had been a bhikkhu for a long time. Through worry (kukkucca) over a minor offence he had committed during that time, he was reborn as a naga. As a naga, he waited for the appearance of a Buddha. Erakapatta had a very beautiful daughter, and he made use of her as a means of finding the Buddha. He made it known that whoever could answer her questions could claim...