Dhammapada Chapter 22 Verse 306-319: Hell
Verse 306 Liars suffer in hell
Abhūtavādī nirayaṃ upeti, yo v’āpi1 katvā na karomī c’āha
Ubho’pi te pecca samā bhavanti, nihīnakammā manujā parattha.
The speaker of untruth goes to hell, and also he who, having done something, says, “I did not do it.”
Both after death become equal, men of base actions in the other world.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 306: Sundari the Wandering Female Ascetic
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 306 with reference to Sundari, a wandering female ascetic.
As the number of people revering the Buddha increased, the non-Buddhist ascetics found that the number of their followers was dwindling. Therefore, they became very jealous of the Buddha; they were also afraid that things would get worse if they did not do something to damage the reputation of the Buddha.
So, they sent for Sundari and said to her, "Sundari, you are a very beautiful and clever young lady. We want you to put Samana Gotama to shame, by making it appear to others that you are having sexual dealings with him. By doing so, his image will be impaired, his following will decrease and many will come to us. Make the best use of your looks and be crafty."
Sundari understood what was expected of her. Thus, late in the evening, she went in the direction of the Jetavana monastery. When she was asked where she was going, she answered, "I am going to visit Samana Gotama; I live with him in the Perfumed Chamber of the Jetavana monastery." After saying this, she proceeded to the place of the non-Buddhist ascetics. Early in the morning the next day, she returned home, if anyone asked her from where she had come she would reply, "I have come from the Perfumed Chamber after staying the night with Samana Gotama." She carried on like this for two more days. At the end of three days, those ascetics hired some drunkards to kill Sundari and put her body in a rubbish heap near the Jetavana monastery.
The next day, the ascetics spread the news about the disappearance of Paribbajika Sundari. They went to the king to report the matter and their suspicions. The king gave them permission to search where they wished. Finding the body near the Jetavana monastery, they carried it to the palace. Then they said to the king, "O king, the followers of Gotama have killed this Paribbajika and have thrown away her body in the rubbish heap near the Jetavana monastery to cover up the misdeed of their teacher."
To them the king replied, "In that case, you may go round the town and proclaim the fact." So they went round the town carrying the dead body of Sundari, shouting, "Look! What the followers of Gotama have done; see how they have tried to cover up the misdeed of Gotama!" The procession then returned to the palace. The bhikkhus living in the Jetavana monastery told the Buddha what those ascetics were (doing to damage his reputation and impair his image. But the Buddha only said, "My sons, you just tell them this," and then spoke in verse as follows:
Verse 306: One who tells lies (about others) goes to niraya; one who has done evil and says "I didn't do it" also goes to niraya. Both of them being evil-doers, suffer alike (in niraya) in their next existence.The king next ordered his men to further investigate the murder of Sundari. On investigation, they found out that Sundari had died at the hands of some drunkards. So they were brought to the king. When questioned, the drunkards disclosed that they were hired by the ascetics to kill Sundari and put her body near the Jetavana monastery. The king then sent for the non-Buddhist ascetics, and they finally confessed their role in the murder of Sundari.
The king then ordered them to go round the town and confess their guilt to the people. So they went round the town saying, "We are the ones who killed Sundari. We have falsely accused the disciples of Gotama just to bring disgrace on Gotama. The disciples of Gotama are innocent, only we are guilty of the crime." As a result of this episode, the power, the glory and the fortune of the Buddha were very much enhanced.
Abhūtavādī nirayaṃ upeti, yo v’āpi1 katvā na karomī c’āha
Ubho’pi te pecca samā bhavanti, nihīnakammā manujā parattha.
The speaker of untruth goes to hell, and also he who, having done something, says, “I did not do it.”
Both after death become equal, men of base actions in the other world.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 306: Sundari the Wandering Female Ascetic
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 306 with reference to Sundari, a wandering female ascetic.
As the number of people revering the Buddha increased, the non-Buddhist ascetics found that the number of their followers was dwindling. Therefore, they became very jealous of the Buddha; they were also afraid that things would get worse if they did not do something to damage the reputation of the Buddha.
So, they sent for Sundari and said to her, "Sundari, you are a very beautiful and clever young lady. We want you to put Samana Gotama to shame, by making it appear to others that you are having sexual dealings with him. By doing so, his image will be impaired, his following will decrease and many will come to us. Make the best use of your looks and be crafty."
Sundari understood what was expected of her. Thus, late in the evening, she went in the direction of the Jetavana monastery. When she was asked where she was going, she answered, "I am going to visit Samana Gotama; I live with him in the Perfumed Chamber of the Jetavana monastery." After saying this, she proceeded to the place of the non-Buddhist ascetics. Early in the morning the next day, she returned home, if anyone asked her from where she had come she would reply, "I have come from the Perfumed Chamber after staying the night with Samana Gotama." She carried on like this for two more days. At the end of three days, those ascetics hired some drunkards to kill Sundari and put her body in a rubbish heap near the Jetavana monastery.
The next day, the ascetics spread the news about the disappearance of Paribbajika Sundari. They went to the king to report the matter and their suspicions. The king gave them permission to search where they wished. Finding the body near the Jetavana monastery, they carried it to the palace. Then they said to the king, "O king, the followers of Gotama have killed this Paribbajika and have thrown away her body in the rubbish heap near the Jetavana monastery to cover up the misdeed of their teacher."
To them the king replied, "In that case, you may go round the town and proclaim the fact." So they went round the town carrying the dead body of Sundari, shouting, "Look! What the followers of Gotama have done; see how they have tried to cover up the misdeed of Gotama!" The procession then returned to the palace. The bhikkhus living in the Jetavana monastery told the Buddha what those ascetics were (doing to damage his reputation and impair his image. But the Buddha only said, "My sons, you just tell them this," and then spoke in verse as follows:
Verse 306: One who tells lies (about others) goes to niraya; one who has done evil and says "I didn't do it" also goes to niraya. Both of them being evil-doers, suffer alike (in niraya) in their next existence.The king next ordered his men to further investigate the murder of Sundari. On investigation, they found out that Sundari had died at the hands of some drunkards. So they were brought to the king. When questioned, the drunkards disclosed that they were hired by the ascetics to kill Sundari and put her body near the Jetavana monastery. The king then sent for the non-Buddhist ascetics, and they finally confessed their role in the murder of Sundari.
The king then ordered them to go round the town and confess their guilt to the people. So they went round the town saying, "We are the ones who killed Sundari. We have falsely accused the disciples of Gotama just to bring disgrace on Gotama. The disciples of Gotama are innocent, only we are guilty of the crime." As a result of this episode, the power, the glory and the fortune of the Buddha were very much enhanced.
Verse 307 Corrupt Monks suffer in hell
Kāsāvakaṇṭhā bahavo, pāpadhammā asaññatā
Pāpā pāpehi kammehi, nirayaṃ te upapajjare.
Many men wearing the yellow robe up to their necks who have an evil disposition and are unrestrained in thought, word and deed are reborn in hell on account of their evil deeds.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 307: Those Who Suffered for Their Evil Deeds
While residing at the Veluvana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 307 with reference to some petas.
Once, the Venerable Maha Moggallana was coming down the Gijjhakuta hill with Thera Lakkhana when he saw some petas. When they were back at the monastery, Thera Maha Moggallana told Thera Lakkhana, in the presence of the Buddha, that he had seen a peta who was just a skeleton. Then he added that he had also seen five bhikkhus with their body burning in flames.
On hearing the statement about those bhikkhus, the Buddha said, "During the time of Kassapa Buddha, those bhikkhus had done much evil. For those evil deeds they had suffered in niraya and now they are serving out the remaining term of suffering as petas."
Kāsāvakaṇṭhā bahavo, pāpadhammā asaññatā
Pāpā pāpehi kammehi, nirayaṃ te upapajjare.
Many men wearing the yellow robe up to their necks who have an evil disposition and are unrestrained in thought, word and deed are reborn in hell on account of their evil deeds.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 307: Those Who Suffered for Their Evil Deeds
While residing at the Veluvana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 307 with reference to some petas.
Once, the Venerable Maha Moggallana was coming down the Gijjhakuta hill with Thera Lakkhana when he saw some petas. When they were back at the monastery, Thera Maha Moggallana told Thera Lakkhana, in the presence of the Buddha, that he had seen a peta who was just a skeleton. Then he added that he had also seen five bhikkhus with their body burning in flames.
On hearing the statement about those bhikkhus, the Buddha said, "During the time of Kassapa Buddha, those bhikkhus had done much evil. For those evil deeds they had suffered in niraya and now they are serving out the remaining term of suffering as petas."
Verse 308 Do not be immoral
Seyyo ayoguḷo bhutto, tatto aggisikhūpamo
Yañce bhuñjeyya dussīlo, raṭṭhapiṇḍaṃ asaññato
Better to swallow a flaming, red hot ball of iron, than to be an immoral,
uncontrolled man living on the alms food of the land.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 308: The Bhikkhus Who Lived on the Bank of the Vaggumuda River
While residing at the Mahavana forest near Vesali, the Buddha uttered Verse 308 with reference to the bhikkhus who spent the vassa on the bank of the Vaggumuda River.
At that time, there was a famine in the country of the Vajjis. So, to enable them to have enough food, those bhikkhus made it appear to the people that they had attained Magga and Phala although they had not done so. The people from the village, believing them and respecting them, offered much food to them leaving very little for themselves.
At the end of the vasa, as was customary, bhikkhus from all parts of the country came to pay homage to the Buddha. The bhikkhus from the bank of the river Vaggumuda also came. They looked hale and hearty while the other bhikkhus looked pale and worn out. The Buddha talked to all the bhikkhus and enquired how they fared during the vassa.
To the bhikkhus from Vaggumuda River the Buddha specifically asked whether they had any difficulty in getting alms-food on account of the famine. They answered that they had no difficulty at all in getting alms-food.
The Buddha knew how those bhikkhus had managed to get enough alms-food. But he wanted to teach them on this point, so he asked, "How did you manage so well in getting alms-food throughout the vassa ?" Then the bhikkhus told him how they discussed among themselves and decided that they should address one another in such a way that the villagers would think that they had really attained jhana, Magga and Phala. Then the Buddha asked them whether they had really attained jhana, Magga and Phala. When they answered in the negative, the Buddha reprimanded them.
Seyyo ayoguḷo bhutto, tatto aggisikhūpamo
Yañce bhuñjeyya dussīlo, raṭṭhapiṇḍaṃ asaññato
Better to swallow a flaming, red hot ball of iron, than to be an immoral,
uncontrolled man living on the alms food of the land.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 308: The Bhikkhus Who Lived on the Bank of the Vaggumuda River
While residing at the Mahavana forest near Vesali, the Buddha uttered Verse 308 with reference to the bhikkhus who spent the vassa on the bank of the Vaggumuda River.
At that time, there was a famine in the country of the Vajjis. So, to enable them to have enough food, those bhikkhus made it appear to the people that they had attained Magga and Phala although they had not done so. The people from the village, believing them and respecting them, offered much food to them leaving very little for themselves.
At the end of the vasa, as was customary, bhikkhus from all parts of the country came to pay homage to the Buddha. The bhikkhus from the bank of the river Vaggumuda also came. They looked hale and hearty while the other bhikkhus looked pale and worn out. The Buddha talked to all the bhikkhus and enquired how they fared during the vassa.
To the bhikkhus from Vaggumuda River the Buddha specifically asked whether they had any difficulty in getting alms-food on account of the famine. They answered that they had no difficulty at all in getting alms-food.
The Buddha knew how those bhikkhus had managed to get enough alms-food. But he wanted to teach them on this point, so he asked, "How did you manage so well in getting alms-food throughout the vassa ?" Then the bhikkhus told him how they discussed among themselves and decided that they should address one another in such a way that the villagers would think that they had really attained jhana, Magga and Phala. Then the Buddha asked them whether they had really attained jhana, Magga and Phala. When they answered in the negative, the Buddha reprimanded them.
Verse 309-310 : Adultery leads to hell
Cattāri ṭhānāni naro pamatto, āpajjati paradārūpasevī
Apuññalābhaṃ na nikāmaseyyaṃ, nindaṃ tatiyaṃ nirayaṃ catutthaṃ 309
Apuññalābho ca gatī ca pāpikā, bhītassa bhītāya ratī ca thokikā
Rājā ca daṇḍaṃ garukaṃ paṇeti, tasmā naro paradāraṃ na seve.310
Four misfortunes befall a man who is unmindful of right conduct and commit sexual misconduct with another man's wife: acquisition of demerit, disturbed sleep, reproach, and suffering in hell.
Thus, there is the acquisition of demerit, and there is rebirth in the evil destiny. The enjoyment of a scared man with a scared woman is short-lived, and the king also metes out severe punishment. Therefore, a man should not commit misconduct with another man's wife.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 309-310: Khemaka, the Son of a Rich Man
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses 309 and 310, with reference to Khemaka, the son of a rich man. Khemaka was also the nephew of the renowned Anathapindika.
Khemaka, in addition to being rich, was also very good-looking and women were very much attracted to him. They could hardly resist him and naturally fell a prey to him. Khemaka committed adultery without compunction. The king's men caught him three times for sexual misconduct and brought him to the presence of the king.
But King Pasenadi of Kosala did not take action because Khemaka was the nephew of Anathapindika. So Anathapindika himself took his nephew to the Buddha. The Buddha talked to Khemaka about the depravity of sexual misconduct and the seriousness of the consequences.
At the end of the discourse Khemaka attained Sotapatti Fruition.
Cattāri ṭhānāni naro pamatto, āpajjati paradārūpasevī
Apuññalābhaṃ na nikāmaseyyaṃ, nindaṃ tatiyaṃ nirayaṃ catutthaṃ 309
Apuññalābho ca gatī ca pāpikā, bhītassa bhītāya ratī ca thokikā
Rājā ca daṇḍaṃ garukaṃ paṇeti, tasmā naro paradāraṃ na seve.310
Four misfortunes befall a man who is unmindful of right conduct and commit sexual misconduct with another man's wife: acquisition of demerit, disturbed sleep, reproach, and suffering in hell.
Thus, there is the acquisition of demerit, and there is rebirth in the evil destiny. The enjoyment of a scared man with a scared woman is short-lived, and the king also metes out severe punishment. Therefore, a man should not commit misconduct with another man's wife.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 309-310: Khemaka, the Son of a Rich Man
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses 309 and 310, with reference to Khemaka, the son of a rich man. Khemaka was also the nephew of the renowned Anathapindika.
Khemaka, in addition to being rich, was also very good-looking and women were very much attracted to him. They could hardly resist him and naturally fell a prey to him. Khemaka committed adultery without compunction. The king's men caught him three times for sexual misconduct and brought him to the presence of the king.
But King Pasenadi of Kosala did not take action because Khemaka was the nephew of Anathapindika. So Anathapindika himself took his nephew to the Buddha. The Buddha talked to Khemaka about the depravity of sexual misconduct and the seriousness of the consequences.
At the end of the discourse Khemaka attained Sotapatti Fruition.
Verse 311-313 Corrupt lives entail suffering
Kuso yathā duggahito, hattham evānukantati
Sāmaññaṃ dupparāmaṭṭhaṃ, nirayāyupakaḍḍhati.311
Yaṃ kiñci sithilaṃ kammaṃ, saṅkiliṭṭhañca yaṃ vataṃ
Saṅkassaraṃ brahmacariyaṃ, na taṃ hoti mahapphalaṃ.312
Kayirā ce kayirāthenaṃ, daḷham enaṃ parakkame
Sithilo hi paribbājo, bhiyyo ākirate rajaṃ.313
Just as kusa grass, wrongly grasped, cuts the hand,
even so the monkhood wrongly handled drags one to hell.
Any loose act, any corrupt practice, a life of dubious holiness --
none of these is of much fruit.
If anything should be done, let one do it, and promote it steadily,
for slack asceticism scatters dust all the more.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 311-313 : Obstinate Bhikkhu
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses 311, 312 and 313 with reference to an obstinate bhikkhu.
Once, there was a bhikkhu who was feeling remorse for having unwittingly cut some grass. He confided about this to another bhikkhu. The latter was reckless and stubborn by nature, and he did not think much about committing small misdeeds. So he replied to the first bhikkhu, "Cutting grass is a very minor offence; if you just confide and confess to another bhikkhu you are automatically exonerated. There is nothing to worry about."
So saying, he proceeded to uproot some grass with both hands to show that he thought very little of such trivial offences. When the Buddha was told about this, he reprimanded the reckless, stubborn bhikkhu.
At the end of the discourse the reckless obstinate bhikkhu realized the importance of restraint in the life of a bhikkhu and strictly obeyed the Fundamental Precepts for the bhikkhus. Later, through practice of Insight Meditation, that bhikkhu attained arahantship.
Kuso yathā duggahito, hattham evānukantati
Sāmaññaṃ dupparāmaṭṭhaṃ, nirayāyupakaḍḍhati.311
Yaṃ kiñci sithilaṃ kammaṃ, saṅkiliṭṭhañca yaṃ vataṃ
Saṅkassaraṃ brahmacariyaṃ, na taṃ hoti mahapphalaṃ.312
Kayirā ce kayirāthenaṃ, daḷham enaṃ parakkame
Sithilo hi paribbājo, bhiyyo ākirate rajaṃ.313
Just as kusa grass, wrongly grasped, cuts the hand,
even so the monkhood wrongly handled drags one to hell.
Any loose act, any corrupt practice, a life of dubious holiness --
none of these is of much fruit.
If anything should be done, let one do it, and promote it steadily,
for slack asceticism scatters dust all the more.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 311-313 : Obstinate Bhikkhu
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses 311, 312 and 313 with reference to an obstinate bhikkhu.
Once, there was a bhikkhu who was feeling remorse for having unwittingly cut some grass. He confided about this to another bhikkhu. The latter was reckless and stubborn by nature, and he did not think much about committing small misdeeds. So he replied to the first bhikkhu, "Cutting grass is a very minor offence; if you just confide and confess to another bhikkhu you are automatically exonerated. There is nothing to worry about."
So saying, he proceeded to uproot some grass with both hands to show that he thought very little of such trivial offences. When the Buddha was told about this, he reprimanded the reckless, stubborn bhikkhu.
At the end of the discourse the reckless obstinate bhikkhu realized the importance of restraint in the life of a bhikkhu and strictly obeyed the Fundamental Precepts for the bhikkhus. Later, through practice of Insight Meditation, that bhikkhu attained arahantship.
Verse 314 An Evil Deed is Better Not Done
Akataṃ dukkataṃ seyyo, pacchā tapati dukkataṃ
Katañca sukataṃ seyyo, yaṃ katvā n’ānutappati
An evil deed is better not done: a misdeed torments one hereafter.
Better it is to do a good deed, after doing which one does not grieve.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 314: Woman of Jealous Disposition
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 314 with reference to a woman who was by nature very jealous.
Once, a woman with a very strong sense of jealousy lived with her husband in Savatthi. She found that her husband was having an affair with her maid. So one day, she tied up the girl with strong ropes, cut off her ears and nose, and shut her up in a room. After doing that, she asked her husband to accompany her to the Jetavana monastery.
Soon after they left, some relatives of the maid arrived at their house and found the maid tied up and locked up in a room. They broke into the room, untied her and took her to the monastery. They arrived at the monastery while the Buddha was expounding the Dhamma. The girl related to the Buddha what her mistress had done to her, how she had been beaten, and how her nose and ears had been cut off. She stood in the midst of the crowd for all to see how she had been mistreated.
So the Buddha said, "Do no evil, thinking that people will not know about it. An evil deed done in secret, when discovered, will bring much pain and sorrow; but a good deed may be done secretly, for it can only bring happiness and not sorrow."
Akataṃ dukkataṃ seyyo, pacchā tapati dukkataṃ
Katañca sukataṃ seyyo, yaṃ katvā n’ānutappati
An evil deed is better not done: a misdeed torments one hereafter.
Better it is to do a good deed, after doing which one does not grieve.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 314: Woman of Jealous Disposition
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 314 with reference to a woman who was by nature very jealous.
Once, a woman with a very strong sense of jealousy lived with her husband in Savatthi. She found that her husband was having an affair with her maid. So one day, she tied up the girl with strong ropes, cut off her ears and nose, and shut her up in a room. After doing that, she asked her husband to accompany her to the Jetavana monastery.
Soon after they left, some relatives of the maid arrived at their house and found the maid tied up and locked up in a room. They broke into the room, untied her and took her to the monastery. They arrived at the monastery while the Buddha was expounding the Dhamma. The girl related to the Buddha what her mistress had done to her, how she had been beaten, and how her nose and ears had been cut off. She stood in the midst of the crowd for all to see how she had been mistreated.
So the Buddha said, "Do no evil, thinking that people will not know about it. An evil deed done in secret, when discovered, will bring much pain and sorrow; but a good deed may be done secretly, for it can only bring happiness and not sorrow."
Verse 315 Guard Yourself Like A Fortified City
Nagaraṃ yathā paccantaṃ, guttaṃ santarabāhiraṃ
Evaṃ gopetha attānaṃ, khaṇo vo mā upaccagā
Khaṇātītā hi socanti, nirayamhi samappitā.
Like a border city, guarded within and without, so guard yourself.
Do not let slip this opportunity, those who do grieve when reborn in
a woeful state.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 315: Many Bhikkhus
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 315 with reference to a group of bhikkhus who spent the vassa in a border town.
In the first month of their stay in that border town, the bhikkhus were well provided and well looked after by the townsfolk. During the next month the town was plundered by some robbers and some people were taken away as hostages. The people of the town, therefore, had to rehabilitate their town and reinforce fortifications.
Thus, they were unable to look to the needs of the bhikkhus as much as they would like to and the bhikkhus had to fend for themselves. At the end of the vassa, those bhikkhus came to pay homage to the Buddha at the Jetavana monastery in Savatthi.
On learning about the hardships they had undergone during the vassa, the Buddha said to them "Bhikkhus, do not keep thinking about this or anything else; it is always difficult to have a carefree, effortless living. Just as the townsfolk guard their town, so also, a bhikkhu should be on guard and keep his mind steadfastly on his body."
Nagaraṃ yathā paccantaṃ, guttaṃ santarabāhiraṃ
Evaṃ gopetha attānaṃ, khaṇo vo mā upaccagā
Khaṇātītā hi socanti, nirayamhi samappitā.
Like a border city, guarded within and without, so guard yourself.
Do not let slip this opportunity, those who do grieve when reborn in
a woeful state.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 315: Many Bhikkhus
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 315 with reference to a group of bhikkhus who spent the vassa in a border town.
In the first month of their stay in that border town, the bhikkhus were well provided and well looked after by the townsfolk. During the next month the town was plundered by some robbers and some people were taken away as hostages. The people of the town, therefore, had to rehabilitate their town and reinforce fortifications.
Thus, they were unable to look to the needs of the bhikkhus as much as they would like to and the bhikkhus had to fend for themselves. At the end of the vassa, those bhikkhus came to pay homage to the Buddha at the Jetavana monastery in Savatthi.
On learning about the hardships they had undergone during the vassa, the Buddha said to them "Bhikkhus, do not keep thinking about this or anything else; it is always difficult to have a carefree, effortless living. Just as the townsfolk guard their town, so also, a bhikkhu should be on guard and keep his mind steadfastly on his body."
Verse 316-317: Be Ashamed of What is Shameful
Alajjitāye lajjanti, lajjitāye na lajjare
Micchādiṭṭhisamādānā, sattā gacchanti duggatiṃ.316
Abhaye ca bhayadassino, bhaye cābhayadassino
Micchādiṭṭhisamādānā, sattā gacchanti duggatiṃ.317
Beings who are ashamed of what is not shameful, and are not ashamed
of what is shameful, embrace wrong views and go to a woeful state.
Beings who see fear in what is not to be feared, and see no fear in
the fearful, embrace false views and go to a woeful state.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 316-317: Nigantha Ascetics
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses 316 and 317 with reference to Nigantha ascetics, who covered only the front part of their bodies.
One day, some Niganthas went on an alms-round with their bowls covered with a piece of cloth. Some bhikkhus seeing them commented, "These Nigantha ascetics who cover the front part of the body are more respectable compared to those Acelaka ascetics who go about without wearing anything."
Hearing this comment, those ascetics retorted, "Yes, indeed, we do cover up our front part (by covering our bowls); but we cover it up not out of shame in going naked. We only cover up our bowls to keep away dust from our food, for even dust contains life in it."
When the bhikkhus reported what the Nigantha ascetics said, the Buddha replied, "Bhikkhus, those ascetics who go about covering only the front part of their bodies are not ashamed of what they should be ashamed of, but they are ashamed of what they should not be ashamed of; because of their wrong view they would only go to bad destinations."
Alajjitāye lajjanti, lajjitāye na lajjare
Micchādiṭṭhisamādānā, sattā gacchanti duggatiṃ.316
Abhaye ca bhayadassino, bhaye cābhayadassino
Micchādiṭṭhisamādānā, sattā gacchanti duggatiṃ.317
Beings who are ashamed of what is not shameful, and are not ashamed
of what is shameful, embrace wrong views and go to a woeful state.
Beings who see fear in what is not to be feared, and see no fear in
the fearful, embrace false views and go to a woeful state.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 316-317: Nigantha Ascetics
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses 316 and 317 with reference to Nigantha ascetics, who covered only the front part of their bodies.
One day, some Niganthas went on an alms-round with their bowls covered with a piece of cloth. Some bhikkhus seeing them commented, "These Nigantha ascetics who cover the front part of the body are more respectable compared to those Acelaka ascetics who go about without wearing anything."
Hearing this comment, those ascetics retorted, "Yes, indeed, we do cover up our front part (by covering our bowls); but we cover it up not out of shame in going naked. We only cover up our bowls to keep away dust from our food, for even dust contains life in it."
When the bhikkhus reported what the Nigantha ascetics said, the Buddha replied, "Bhikkhus, those ascetics who go about covering only the front part of their bodies are not ashamed of what they should be ashamed of, but they are ashamed of what they should not be ashamed of; because of their wrong view they would only go to bad destinations."
Verse 318-319 Embrace right views
Avajje vajjamatino, vajje cāvajjadassino
Micchādiṭṭhisamādānā, sattā gacchanti duggatiṃ.318
Vajjañca vajjato ñatvā, avajjañca avajjato
Sammādiṭṭhisamādānā, sattā gacchanti suggatiṃ. 319
Beings who imagine wrong in what is not wrong, who do not see wrong in what is wrong,
and who hold wrong views go to a lower plane of existence (duggati).
Beings who know what is wrong as wrong. who know what is right as right,
and who hold right views go to a happy plane of existence (suggati).
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 318-319: Disciples of Non-Buddhist Ascetics
While residing at the Nigrodarama monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses 318 and 319 with reference to some disciples of the Titthis (non-Buddhist ascetics).
The disciples of the Titthis did not want their children to mix with the children of the followers of the Buddha. They often told their children, "Do not go to the Jetavana monastery, do not pay obeisance to the bhikkhus of the Sakyan clan." On one occasion, while the Titthi boys were playing with a Buddhist boy near the entrance to the Jetavana monastery, they felt very thirsty. As the children of the disciples of the Titthis had been told by their parents not to enter a Buddhist monastery, they asked the Buddhist boy to go to the monastery and bring some water for them.
The young Buddhist boy went to pay obeisance to the Buddha after he had had a drink of water, and told the Buddha about his friends who were forbidden by their parents to enter a Buddhist monastery. The Buddha then told the boy to tell the non-Buddhist boys to come and have water at the monastery. When those boys came, the Buddha gave them a discourse to suit their various dispositions. As a result, those boys became established in faith in the Three Gems i.e., the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.
When the boys went home, they talked about their visit to the Jetavana monastery and about the Buddha teaching them the Three Gems. The parents of the boys, being ignorant, cried, "Our sons have been disloyal to our faith, they have been ruined," etc. Some intelligent neighbors advised the wailing parents to stop weeping and to send their sons to the Buddha. Somehow, they agreed and the boys as well as their parents went to the Buddha.
At the end of the discourse all those people came to be established in faith in the Three Gems, and after listening to the Buddha's further discourses, they subsequently attained Sotapatti Fruition.
Avajje vajjamatino, vajje cāvajjadassino
Micchādiṭṭhisamādānā, sattā gacchanti duggatiṃ.318
Vajjañca vajjato ñatvā, avajjañca avajjato
Sammādiṭṭhisamādānā, sattā gacchanti suggatiṃ. 319
Beings who imagine wrong in what is not wrong, who do not see wrong in what is wrong,
and who hold wrong views go to a lower plane of existence (duggati).
Beings who know what is wrong as wrong. who know what is right as right,
and who hold right views go to a happy plane of existence (suggati).
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 318-319: Disciples of Non-Buddhist Ascetics
While residing at the Nigrodarama monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses 318 and 319 with reference to some disciples of the Titthis (non-Buddhist ascetics).
The disciples of the Titthis did not want their children to mix with the children of the followers of the Buddha. They often told their children, "Do not go to the Jetavana monastery, do not pay obeisance to the bhikkhus of the Sakyan clan." On one occasion, while the Titthi boys were playing with a Buddhist boy near the entrance to the Jetavana monastery, they felt very thirsty. As the children of the disciples of the Titthis had been told by their parents not to enter a Buddhist monastery, they asked the Buddhist boy to go to the monastery and bring some water for them.
The young Buddhist boy went to pay obeisance to the Buddha after he had had a drink of water, and told the Buddha about his friends who were forbidden by their parents to enter a Buddhist monastery. The Buddha then told the boy to tell the non-Buddhist boys to come and have water at the monastery. When those boys came, the Buddha gave them a discourse to suit their various dispositions. As a result, those boys became established in faith in the Three Gems i.e., the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.
When the boys went home, they talked about their visit to the Jetavana monastery and about the Buddha teaching them the Three Gems. The parents of the boys, being ignorant, cried, "Our sons have been disloyal to our faith, they have been ruined," etc. Some intelligent neighbors advised the wailing parents to stop weeping and to send their sons to the Buddha. Somehow, they agreed and the boys as well as their parents went to the Buddha.
At the end of the discourse all those people came to be established in faith in the Three Gems, and after listening to the Buddha's further discourses, they subsequently attained Sotapatti Fruition.