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

  Jatilabrahmana  Vatthu  Dhammapada Verse 393   Na jatahi na gottena na jacca hoti brahmano yamhi saccanca 1  dhammo 2  ca so suci so ca brahmano. Verse 393: Not by wearing matted hair, nor by lineage, nor by caste, does one become a brahmana; only he who realizes the Truth and the Dhamma is pure; he is a brahmana. 1. sacca: the Four Noble Truths. 2. dhamma : the nine Transcendentals, viz., the four Maggas, the four Phalas and Nibbana. The Story of Jatila, the Brahmin While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (393) of this book, with reference to Jatila, a brahmin ascetic who wore matted hair. Once, a brahmin ascetic thought to himself that the Buddha called his disciples 'brahmanas' and that he being a brahmin by birth should also be called a 'brahmana'. Thinking thus, he went to see the Buddha and put forward his view. But the Buddha rejected his view and said,  "O brahmin, I do not call one a brahmana because he keeps his h...

  Sariputtatthera  Vatthu  Dhammapada Verse 392 Yamha dhammam vijaneyya sammasambuddhadesitam sakkaccam tam namasseyya aggihuttamva brahmano. Verse 392: If from somebody one should learn the Teaching of the Buddha, he should respectfully pay homage to that teacher, as a brahmin worships the sacrificial fire. The Story of Thera Sariputta While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (392) of this book, with reference to the Venerable Sariputta. The Venerable Sariputta was born of brahmin parents of Upatissa village; that was why he was named Upatissa. His mother was Sari. His very close friend was Kolita, another brahmin youth, son of Moggali. Both the youths were searching for the right doctrine, which would lead them to liberation from the round of rebirths, and both of them had a great desire to enter a religious Order. First, they went to Sancaya, but they were not satisfied with his teaching. Then they wandered all over Jambudipa looking for a tea...

Mahapajapatigotami  Vatthu Dhammapada Verse 391 Yassa kayena vacaya manasa natthi dukkatam samvutam tihi thanehi tamaham brumi brahmanam. Verse 391: Him I call a brahmana who does no evil in deed or word or thought, who is restrained in these three respects. The Story of Theri Mahapajapati Gotami While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (391) of this book, with reference to Theri Mahapajapati Gotami. Mahapajapati Gotami was the stepmother of Gotama Buddha. On the death of Queen, seven days after the birth of Prince Siddhattha, Mahapajapati Gotami became the chief queen of King Suddhodana. At that time, her own son Nanda was only five days old. She let her own son be fed by a wet-nurse, and herself fed Prince Siddhattha, the future Buddha. Thus, Mahapajapati Gotami was a great benefactor to Prince Siddhattha. When Prince Siddhattha returned to Kapilavatthu after the attainment of Buddhahood, Mahapajapati Gotami went to see the Buddha and requested that wome...

  Sariputtatthera  Vatthu  Dhammapada Verses 389 and 390   Na brahmanassa pahareyya nassa muncetha brahmano dhi brahmanassa hantaram tato dhi yassa muncati. Na brahmanasse' tadakinci seyyo yada nisedho manaso piyehi yato yato himsamano nivattati tato tato sammatimeva dukkham. Verse 389: One should not strike a brahmana; a brahmana should not get angry with his assailant; it is shameful to strike a brahmana; it is more shameful to get angry with one's assailant. Verse 390: For a brahmana there is no benefit at all if he does not restrain from anger to which his mind is prone. Inasmuch as one desists from the intention to harm, to that extent dukkha ceases. The Story of Thera Sariputta While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (389) and (390) of this book, with reference to the Venerable Sariputta. The Venerable Sariputta was often praised by many people for his patience and forbearance. His pupils usually said of him thus: "Our teacher is a m...

  Annatarabrahmana Pabbajita  Vatthu  Dhammapada Verse 388   Bahitapapoti brahmano samacariya 1  "samano" ti vuccati pabbajayamattano malam tasma "pabbajito 2 " ti vuccati. Verse 388: Because he has discarded evil he is called a 'brahmana'; because he lives calmly he is called a 'samana'; and because he gets rid of his impurities he is called a 'pabbajita'. 1. samacariya: lit., living calmly, i.e., practising for eradication of moral defilements. 2. pabbajita: one who leaves the household life for the homeless life of a recluse; in Buddhism it means one who has given up the impurities of the  household  life to become a bhikkhu. The Story of a Brahmin Recluse While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (388) of this book, with reference to a brahmin ascetic. Once there was a brahmin ascetic in Savatthi. One day, it occurred to him that the Buddha called his disciples pabbajita bhikkhus and since he also was a recluse, h...

  Anandatthera  Vatthu  Dhammapada Verse 387 Diva tapati adicco ratti mabhati candima sannaddho khattiyo tapati jhayi tapati brahmano atha sabbamahorattim buddho tapati tejasa. Verse 387: By day shines the sun; by night shines the moon; in regalia shines the king; in meditation shines the arahat; but the Buddha in his glory shines at all times, by day and by night. The Story of Thera Ananda While residing at the Pubbarama monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (387) of this book, with reference to the Venerable Ananda. It was the full moon day of the seventh month (Assayuja) when King Pasenadi of Kosala came to visit the Buddha. The king was then resplendent in his full royal regalia. At that time, Thera Kaludayi was also present in the same room sitting at the edge of the congregation. He was in deep mental absorption (jhana), his body bright and golden. In the sky, the Venerable Ananda noticed that the sun was setting and the moon was just coming out, both the sun and the ...