06 02 2012 LESSON 516 Dhammapada
Verse 61 Mahakassapa saddhiviharika Vatthu Do Not Associate With The Ignorant
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LESSON 516
Practice a Sutta a Day Keeps Dukkha Away
Verse 61. Do Not Associate With The Ignorant
If a wayfarer fails to find
one better or equal,
steadfast he should fare alone
for a fools no fellowship.
Explanation: People need companions. But if one does not find a
person who is better than, or at least equal to oneself, it is better to be
alone rather than keep company with foolish people. There is no profitable
companionship with fools.
Dhammapada
Verse 61
Mahakassapa saddhiviharika Vatthu
Carance nadhigaccheyya
seyyam sadisamattano
ekacariyaram dalham kayira
natthi bale sahayata.
Verse 61: If a person seeking a companion cannot find one who is
better than or equal to him, let him resolutely go on alone; there can be no
companionship with a fool.
The Story of a Resident Pupil of Thera Mahakassapa
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered
Verse (61) of this book, with reference to a resident pupil of Thera
Mahakassapa.
When Thera Mahakassapa was residing near Rajagaha, he had two
young bhikkhus staying with him. One of them was respectful, obedient and
dutiful to the thera, but the other one was not. When the old thera chided the
latter for his slackness in his duties, he was very much offended. On one
occasion, he went to the house of a lay-disciple of the thera, and lied to them
that the thera was ill. Thus, he got some choice food from them for the thera;
but he ate the food on the way. When admonished by the thera for this he was
extremely angry. The next day, when the thera was out on his alms-round, the
young foolish bhikkhu stayed behind, broke the pots and pans and set fire to
the monastery.
When a bhikkhu from Rajagaha told the Buddha about this, the
Buddha said that it would have been much better for Thera Mahakassapa to live
alone than to live with a foolish companion.
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
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Verse |
At the end of the discourse, the bhikkhu from Rajagaha attained
Sotapatti Fruition.
