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

Laludayi Vatthu Dhammapada Verse 241 Asajjhayamala manta anutthanamala ghara malam vanaassa kosajjam pamado rakkhato malam. Verse 241: Non-recitation is the taint of learning; non-maintenance is the taint of houses; indolence is the taint of beauty; unmindfulness is the taint of one who keeps watch. The Story of Laludayi While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (241) of this book, with reference to Thera Laludayi. In Savatthi, people coming back after hearing the discourses given by Thera Sariputta and Thera Maha Moggallana were always full of praise for the two Chief Disciples. On one occasion, Laludayi, hearing their praises, said to those people that they would be saying the same about him after listening to his discourses. So Laludayi was asked to deliver a discourse; he climbed on to the platform but he could not say anything. So he asked the audience to let another bhikkhu take the turn first and that he would take the next turn. In this way, he put off ...

  Tissatthera Vatthu  Dhammapada Verse 240 Ayasava malan samutthitam tatutthaya tameva khadati evam atidhonacarinam 1 sani kammani nayanti duggatim. Verse 240: Just as rust is formed from iron, and corrodes the iron from which it is formed, so also, his own deeds lead the transgressor to a lower plane of existence (duggati). 1. atidhonacarinam - transgressor: i.e., one who transgresses or indulges too much in the use of 'dhona', the four requisites of a bhikkhu. The Story of Thera Tissa While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (240) of this book, with reference to Thera Tissa. Once there was a thera named Tissa in Savatthi. One day, he received a set of fine robes and was very pleased. He intended to wear those robes the next day. But that very night he died and because he was attached to the fine set of robes, he was reborn as a louse and lived within the folds of the robes. As there was no one to inherit his belongings, it was decided that this part...

Annatara brahmana Vatthu   Dhammapada Verse 239 Anupubbena medhavi thokam thokam khane khane kammaro rajatasseva niddhame malamattano. Verse 239: By degrees, little by little, from moment to moment a wise man removes his own impurities (moral defilements), as a smith removes the dross of silver or gold. The Story of a Brahmin While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (239) of this book, with reference to a brahmin. Once, a brahmin saw a group of bhikkhus re-arranging their robes as they were preparing to enter the city for alms-food. While he was looking, he found that the robes of some of the bhikkhus touched the ground and got wet because of dew on the grass. So he cleared that patch of ground. The next day, he found that as the robes of the bhikkhus touched bare ground, the robes got dirty. So he covered that patch of ground with sand. Then again, he observed that the bhikkhus would sweat when the sun was shining and that they got wet when it was raining...

Goghatakaputta Vatthu   Dhammapada Verses 235, 236, 237 and 238 Pandupalasova danisi yamapurisapi ca te upatthita uyyogamukhe 1  ca titthasi patheyyampi ca te na vijjati. So karohi dipamattano khippam vayama pandito bhava niddhantamalo anangano dibbam ariyabhumim 2  upehisi. Upanitavayo ca danisi sampayatosi yamassa santikam vase te natthi antara patheyyampi ca te na vijjati. So karohi dipamattano khippam vayama pandito bhava niddhantamalo anangano na punam jatijaram upehisi. Verse 235: You are now like a withered leaf; the messengers of death are near you; you are about to set out on a long journey; (yet), you have no provisions (for the journey). Verse 236: Make a firm support for yourself; hasten to strive hard, and be wise. Having removed impurities and being free from moral defilements you shall enter the abodes of the Ariyas (i.e., Suddhavasa brahma realm). Verse 237: Now you are of advanced age; you are going to the presence of the King of Death and you cannot stop...

Chabbaggiya Vatthu  Dhammapada Verses 231, 232, 233 and 234 Kayappakopam rakkheyya kayena sambyuto siya kayaduccaritam hitva kayena sucaritam care. Vacipakopam rakkheyya vacaya samvuto siya vaciduccaritam hitva vacaya sucaritam care. Manopakopam rakkheyya manasa samvuto siya manoduccaritam hitva manasa sucaritam care. Kayena samvuta dhira atho vacaya sambuta manasa samvuta dhira te ye suparisamvuta. Verse 231: Guard against evil deeds, control your body. Giving up evil deeds, cultivate good deeds. Verse 232: Guard against evil speech, control your speech. Giving up evil speech, cultivate good speech. Verse 233: Guard against evil thoughts, control your mind. Giving up evil thoughts, cultivate good thoughts. Verse 234: The wise are controlled in deed, they are controlled in speech, they are controlled in thought. Indeed, they are perfectly self-controlled. The Story of a Group of Six Bhikkhus While residing at the Veluvana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (231) to (234) of this ...