27 06 2012 WEDNESDAY LESSON 650 FREE ONLINE eNālāndā Research And Practice UNIVERSITY And THE BUDDHISTONLINE GOOD NEWS LETTER by ABHIDHAMMA RAKKHITA through http://sarvajan.ambedkar.org
Dhammapada: Verses and Stories 219-Nandiya Vatthu-The Fruits Of Good Action-Good Actions Lead To Good Results
Verse 219. The Fruits Of Good Action
One who’s long away from home
returns in safety from afar,
then friends, well-wishers, kinsmen too
are overjoyed at his return.
Explanation: When a person, who has lived away from home for
a long while, returns home safely, his friends, relations and well-wishers
welcome him back.
Verse 220. Good Actions Lead To Good Results
In the same way, with merit done
when from this world to another gone
those merits then receive one there
as relatives a dear one come.
Explanation: In the same way, when those who have done meritorious
deeds in this world go to the next world, their meritorious actions
welcome them, like relatives welcoming back relatives returning from
a long journey.
Dhammapada Verses 219 and 220
Nandiya VatthuCirappavsim purisam
durato sotthimagatam
natimitta suhajja ca
abhinandanti agatam.Tatheva katapunnampi
asma loka param gatam
punnani patiganhanti
piyam nativa agatam.Verse 219: A man who has long been absent and has returned home safely from a
distance is welcomed with joy by relatives, friends and well-wishers on his
return.Verse 220: In the same way, his good deeds will receive him who has done good
when he goes from this world to the other, as relatives receive a dear one on
his return.
The Story of Nandiya
While residing at the Isipatana wood, the Buddha uttered Verses (219) and
(220) of this book, with reference to Nandiya.Nandiya was a rich man from Baranasi. After listening to the Buddha’s
discourse on the benefits of building monasteries for bhikkhus, Nandiya built
the Mahavihara monastery at Isipatana. The building was pinnacled and fully
furnished. As soon as the monastery was offered to the Buddha, a mansion came up
for Nandiya at the Tavatimsa deva world.One day, when Thera Maha Moggalana visited the Tavatimsa deva world he saw
the mansion which was meant for the donor of the Mahavihara monastery at
Isipatana. On his return from the Tavatimsa deva world, Thera Maha Moggalana
asked the Buddha, “Venerable Sir! For those who perform meritorious deeds,
do they have mansions and other riches prepared in the deva world even while
they are still living in this world ?” To him the Buddha said, “My
son, why do you ask? Have you not yourself seen the mansion and riches waiting
for Nandiya in the Tavatimsa deva world? The devas await the coming of the good
and generous ones, as relatives await the return of one who is long absent. When
the good ones die, they are welcomed joyously to the abode of the devas.”Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
Verse 219: A man who has long been absent and has
returned home safely from a distance is welcomed with joy by
relatives, friends and well-wishers on his return.Verse 220: In the same way, his good deeds will
receive him who has done good when he goes from this world to the
other, as relatives receive a dear one on his return.
End of Chapter Sixteen: Affection (Piyavagga)