2741 Tue 11 Sep 2018 LESSON (84) Tue 11Sep 2007 Do Good Be Mindful - Awakened One with Awareness (AOA) TIPITAKA
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NOVEMBER 14, 2017 BY BEHAPPY
Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada
Treasury of Truth
Illustrated Dhammapada
Ven . Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
Verse 1. Suffering Follows The Evil-Doer
Verse 2. Happiness Follows The Doer of Good
Verse 3. Uncontrolled Hatred Leads to Harm
Verse 4. Overcoming Anger
Verse 5. Hatred is Overcome Only by Non-hatred
Verse 6. Recollection of Death Brings Peace
Verse 7. Laziness Defeats Spirituality
Verse 8. Spiritual Strength is Undefeatable
Verse 9. Those Who Do Not Deserve the Stained Robe
Verse 10. The Virtuous Deserve the Stained Robe
Verse 11. False Values Bar Spiritual Progress
Verse 12. Truth Enlightens
Verse 13. Lust Penetrates Untrained Mind
Verse 14. The Disciplined Mind Keeps Lust Away
Verse 15. Sorrow Springs From Evil Deeds
Verse 16. Good Deeds Bring Happiness
Verse 17. Evil Action Leads to Torment
Verse 18. Virtuous Deeds Make One Rejoice
Verse 19. Fruits of Religious Life Through Practice
Verse 20. Practice Ensures Fulfilment
Verse 21. Freedom Is Difficult
Verse 22. Freedom Is Difficult
Verse 23. Freedom Is Difficult
Verse 24. Glory Of The Mindful Increase
Verse 25. Island Against Floods
Verse 26. Treasured Mindfulness
Verse 27. Meditation Leads To Bliss
Verse 28. The Sorrowless View The World
Verse 29. The Mindful One Is Way Ahead Of Others
Verse 30. Mindfulness Made Him Chief Of Gods
Verse 31. The Heedful Advance
Verse 32. The Heedful Advances To Nibbana
Verse 33. The Wise Person Straightens The Mind
Verse 34. The Fluttering Mind
Verse 35. Restrained Mind Leads To Happiness
Verse 36. Protected Mind Leads To Happiness
Verse 37. Death’s Snare Can Be Broken By Tamed Mind
Verse 38. Wisdom Does Not Grow If the Mind Wavers
Verse 39. The Wide-Awake Is Unfrightened
Verse 40. Weapons To Defeat Death
Verse 41. Without The Mind, Body Is Worthless
Verse 42. All Wrong Issue Out Of Evil Mind
Verse 43. Well-Trained Mind Excels People
Verse 44. The Garland-Maker
Verse 45. The Seeker Understands
Verse 46. Who Conquers Death
Verse 47. Pleasure Seeker Is Swept Away
Verse 48. Attachment To Senses If Folly
Verse 49. The Monk In The Village
Verse 50. Look Inwards And Not At Others
Verse 51. Good Words Attract Only Those Who Practice
Verse 52. Good Words Profit Only Those Who Practise
Verse 53. Those Born Into This World Must Acquire Much Merit
Verse 54. Fragrance of Virtue Spreads Everywhere
Verse 55. Fragrance Of Virtue Is The Sweetest Smell
Verse 56. Fragrance Of Virtue Wafts To Heaven
Verse 57. Death Cannot Trace The Path Of Arahats
Verse 58. Lotus Is Attractive Though In A Garbage Heap
Verse 59. Arahats Shine Wherever They Are
Verse 60. Samsara Is Long To The Ignorant
Verse 61. Do Not Associate With The Ignorant
Verse 62. Ignorance Brings Suffering
Verse 63. Know Reality Be Wise
Verse 64. The Ignorant Cannot Benefit From The Wise
Verse 65. Profit From The Wise
Verse 66. A Sinner Is One’s Own Foe
Verse 67. Do What Brings Happiness
Verse 68. Happiness Results From Good Deeds
Verse 69. Sin Yields Bitter Results
Verse 70. The Unconditioned Is The Highest Achievement
Verse 71. Sin Is Like Sparks Of Fire Hidden In Ashes
Verse 72. The Knowledge Of The Wicked Splits His Head
Verse 73. Desire For Pre-Eminence
Verse 74. The Ignorant are Ego-Centred
Verse 75. Path To Liberation
Verse 76. Treasure The Advice Of The Wise
Verse 77. The Virtuous Cherish Good Advice
Verse 78. In The Company Of The Virtuous
Verse 79. Living Happily In The Dhamma
Verse 80. The Wise Control Themselves
Verse 81. The Wise Are Steadfast
Verse 82. The Wise Are Happy
Verse 83. The Wise Are Tranquil
Verse 84. The Wise Live Correctly
Verse 85. A Few Reach The Other Shore
Verse 86. Those Who Follow The Dhamma Are Liberated
Verse 87. Liberation Through Discipline
Verse 88. Purify Your mind
Verse 89. Arahats Are Beyond Worldliness
Verse 90. Passion’s Fever Gone
Verse 91. Saints Are Non-Attached
Verse 92. Blameless Is The Nature Of Saints
Verse 93. Arahat’s State Cannot Be Traced
Verse 94. The Gods Adore Arahats
Verse 95. Arahats Are Noble
Verse 96. The Tranquillity Of The Saints
Verse 97. Exalted Are The Unblemished
Verse 98. Dwelling Of The Unblemished Is Alluring
Verse 99. The Passionless Delight In Forests
Verse 100. One Pacifying Word Is Noble
Verse 101. One Useful Verse Is Better Than A Thousand Useless Verses
Verse 102. A Dhamma-Word Is Noble
Verse 103. Self-Conquest Is The Highest Victory
Verse 104. Victory Over Oneself Is Unequalled
Verse 105. Victory Over Self Cannot Be Undone
Verse 106. The Greatest Offering
Verse 107. Even Brief Adoration Of An Arahat Is Fruitful
Verse 108. Worshipping An Unblemished Individual Is Noble
Verse 109. Saluting Venerables Yields Four Benefits
Verse 110. Virtuous Life Is Noble
Verse 111. A Wise One’s Life Is Great
Verse 112. The Person Of Effort Is Worthy
Verse 113. Who Knows Reality Is Great
Verse 114. The Seer Of The Deathless Is A Worthy One
Verse 115. Life Of One Who Knows The Teaching is Noble
Verse 116. Never Hesitate To Do Good
Verse 117. Do No Evil Again And Again
Verse 118. Accumulated Merit Leads To Happiness
Verse 119. Evil Seems Sweet Until It Ripens
Verse 120. Good May Seem Bad Until Good Mature
Verse 121. Take Not Evil Lightly
Verse 122. Merit Grows Little By Little
Verse 123. Shun Evil As Poison
Verse 124. Evil Results From Bad Intentions
Verse 125. Wrong Done To Others Returns To Doer
Verse 126. Those Who Pass Away
Verse 127. Shelter Against Death
Verse 128. No Escape From Death
Verse 129. Of Others Think Of As Your Own Self
Verse 130. To All Life Is Dear
Verse 131. Those Who Do Not Receive Happiness
Verse 132. Those Who Do Not Receive Happiness
Verse 133. Retaliation Brings Unhappiness
Verse 134. Tranquillity Should Be Preserved
Verse 135. Decay And Death Terminate Life
Verse 136. Results Of Evil Torment The Ignorant
Verse 137. The Evil Results of Hurting The Pious
Verse 138. Evil Results Of Hurting Harmless Saints
Verse 139. Harming The Holy Is Disastrous
Verse 140. Woeful States In The Wake Of Evil Doing
Verse 141. Practices That Will Not Lead To Purity
Verse 142. Costumes Do Not Mar Virtue
Verse 143. Avoid Evil Through Shame
Verse 144. Effort Is Necessary To Avoid Suffering
Verse 145. Those Who Restrain Their Own Mind
Verse 146. One Pacifying Word Is Noble
Verse 147. Behold The True Nature Of The Body
Verse 148. Life Ends In Death
Verse 149. A Sight That Stops Desire
Verse 150. The Body Is A City Of Bones
Verse 151. Buddha’s Teaching Never Decays
Verse 152. Body Fattens – Mind Does Not
Verse 153. Seeing The Builder of The House
Verse 154. Thy Building Material Is Broken
Verse 155. Regrets In Old Age
Verse 156. Nostalgia For Past Glory
Verse 157. Safeguard Your Own Self
Verse 158. Giver Advice While Being Virtuous Yourself
Verse 159. Discipline Yourself Before You Do Others
Verse 160. One Is One’s Best Saviour
Verse 161. The Unwise Person Comes To Grief On His Own
Verse 162. Evil Action Crushes The Doer
Verse 163. Doing Good Unto One’s Own Self Is Difficult
Verse 164. The Wicked Are Self-Destructive
Verse 165. Purity, Impurity Self-Created
Verse 166. Help Others – But Promote One’s Own Good
Verse 167. Do Not Cultivate The Worldly
Verse 168. The Righteous Are Happy – Here And Hereafter
Verse 169. Behave According To The Teaching
Verse 170. Observe The Impermanence Of Life
Verse 171. The Disciplined Are Not Attached To The Body
Verse 172. The Diligent Illumine The World
Verse 173. Evil Is Overcome By Good
Verse 174. Without Eye of Wisdom, This World Is Blind
Verse 175. The Wise Travel Beyond The Worldly
Verse 176. A Liar Can Commit Any Crime
Verse 177. Happiness Through Partaking In Good Deeds
Verse 178. Being Stream-Winner Is Supreme
Verse 179. The Buddha Cannot Be Tempted
Verse 180. The Buddha Cannot Be Brought Under Sway
Verse 181. Gods And Men Adore The Buddha
Verse 182. Four Rare Opportunities
Verse 183. The Instructions Of The Buddha
Verse 184. Patience Is A Great Ascetic Virtue
Verse 185. Noble Guidelines
Verse 186. Sensual Pleasures Never Satiated
Verse 187. Shun Worldly Pleasures
Verse 188. Fear Stricken Masses
Verse 189. Those Refuges Do Not Help
Verse 190. Seeing Four Noble Truths
Verse 191. The Noble Path
Verse 192. The Refuge That Ends All Suffering
Verse 193. Rare Indeed Is Buddha’s Arising
Verse 194. Four Factors of Happiness
Verse 195. Worship Those Who Deserve Adoration
Verse 196. Worship Brings Limitless Merit
Verse 197. Happiness
Verse 198. Without Sickness Among The Sick
Verse 199. Not Anxious Among The Anxious
Verse 200. Happily They Live – Undefiled
Verse 201. Happy About Both Victory And Defeat
Verse 202. Happiness Tranquilizes
Verse 203. Worst Disease And Greatest Happiness
Verse 204. Four Supreme Acquisitions
Verse 205. The Free Are The Purest
Verse 206. Pleasant Meetings
Verse 207. Happy Company
Verse 208. The Good And The Wise
Verse 209. Admiration of Self-Seekers
Verse 210. Not Seeing The Liked And Seeing The Unliked Are Both Painful
Verse 211. Not Bound By Ties Of Defilements
Verse 212. The Outcome Of Endearment
Verse 213. Sorrow And Fear Arise Due To Loved Ones
Verse 214. The Outcome Of Passion
Verse 215. The Outcome Of Lust
Verse 216. Sorrow And Fear Arise Due To Miserliness
Verse 217. Beloved Of The Masses
Verse 218. The Person With Higher Urges
Verse 219. The Fruits Of Good Action
Verse 220. Good Actions Lead To Good Results
Verse 221. He Who Is Not Assaulted By Sorrow
Verse 222. The Efficient Charioteer
Verse 223. Four Forms Of Victories
Verse 224. Three Factors Leading To Heaven
Verse 225. Those Harmless One Reach The Deathless
Verse 226. Yearning For Nibbana
Verse 227. There Is No One Who Is Not Blamed
Verse 228. No One Is Exclusively Blamed Or Praised
Verse 229. Person Who Is Always Praise-Worthy
Verse 230. Person Who Is Like Solid Gold
Verse 231. The Person Of Bodily Discipline
Verse 232. Virtuous Verbal Behaviour
Verse 233. Discipline Your Mind
Verse 234. Safeguard The Three Doors
Verse 235. Man At The Door Of Death
Verse 236. Get Immediate Help
Verse 237. In The Presence Of King Of Death
Verse 238. Avoid The Cycle Of Existence
Verse 239. Purify Yourself Gradually
Verse 240. One’s Evil Ruins One’s Own Self
Verse 241. Causes Of Stain
Verse 242. Ignorance Is The Greatest Taint
Verse 243. Ignorance The Worst Taint
Verse 244. The Shameless Life Is Easy
Verse 245. For A Modest Person Life Is Hard
Verse 246. Wrong Deeds To Avoid
Verse 247. Precepts The Lay Person Should Follow
Verse 248. These Precepts Prevent Suffering
Verse 249. The Envious Are Not At Peace
Verse 250. The Unenvious Are At Peace
Verse 251. Craving Is The Worst Flood
Verse 252. Easy To See Are The Faults Of Others
Verse 253. Seeing Others Faults
Verse 254. Nothing Is Eternal Other Than Nibbana
Verse 255. The Buddha Has No Anxiety
Verse 256. The Just And The Impartial Judge Best
Verse 257. Firmly Rooted In The Law
Verse 258. Who Speaks A Lot Is Not Necessarily Wise
Verse 259. Those Who Know Speak Little
Verse 260. Grey Hair Alone Does Not Make An Elder
Verse 261. The Person Full Of Effort Is The True Elder
Verse 262. Who Gives Up Jealousy Is Good-Natured
Verse 263. Who Uproots Evil Is The Virtuous One
Verse 264. Shaven Head Alone Does Not Make A Monk
Verse 265. Who Give Up Evil Is True Monk
Verse 266. One Is Not A Monk Merely By Begging Alms Food
Verse 267. The Holy Life Makes a Monk
Verse 268. Silence Alone Does Not Make A Sage
Verse 269. Only True Wisdom Makes a Sage
Verse 270. True Ariyas Are Harmless
Verse 271. A Monk Should Destroy All Passions
Verse 272. Blemishes Should Be Given Up To Reach Release
Verse 273. The Eight-fold Path Is Best
Verse 274. The Only Path To Purity
Verse 275. The Path To End Suffering
Verse 276. Buddhas Only Shows The Way
Verse 277. Conditioned Things Are Transient
Verse 278. All Component Things Are Sorrow
Verse 279. Everything Is Soul-less
Verse 280. The Lazy Miss The Path
Verse 281. Purify Your Thoughts, Words And Deeds
Verse 282. Way To Increase Wisdom
Verse 283. Shun Passion
Verse 284. Attachment To Women
Verse 285. Path To Peace
Verse 286. The Fear Of Death
Verse 287. Death Takes Away The Attached
Verse 288. No Protection When Needed
Verse 289. The Path To The Deathless
Verse 290. Give Up A Little, Achieve Much
Verse 291. When Anger Does Not Abate
Verse 292. How Blemishes Increase
Verse 293. Mindfulness Of Physical Reality
Verse 294. The Destroyer Who Reaches Nibbana
Verse 295. The ‘Killer’ Who Goes Free
Verse 296. Reflect On The Virtues Of The Buddha
Verse 297. Reflect On The Virtues Of The Dhamma
Verse 298. Reflect On The Virtues Of The Sangha
Verse 299. Reflect On The Real Nature of the Body
Verse 300. Reflect On Harmlessness
Verse 301. The Mind That Takes Delight in Meditation
Verse 302. Samsara – Journey
Verse 303. He Is Honoured Everywhere
Verse 304. The Virtuous Are Seen
Verse 305. Discipline Yourself In Solitude
Verse 306. Liars Suffer Tortures Of Hell
Verse 307. Evil Men Get Born In Bad States
Verse 308. Food Fit For Sinners
Verse 309. The Man Who Covets Another’s Wife
Verse 310. Shun Adultery
Verse 311. Wrong Monastic Life Leads To Bad States
Verse 312. Three Things That Will Not Yield Good Results
Verse 313. Do Merit With Commitment
Verse 314. Good Deeds Never Make You Repent
Verse 315. Guard The Mind
Verse 316. False Beliefs Lead To Hell
Verse 317. Fear And Fearlessness In Wrong Places
Verse 318. Right And Wrong
Verse 319. Right Understanding
Verse 320. The Buddha’s Endurance
Verse 321. The Disciplined Animal
Verse 322. The Most Disciplined Animal
Verse 323. The Right Vehicle To Nibbana
Verse 324. The Bound Elephant
Verse 325. The Slothful, Greedy Sleeper Returns to Samsara, Over and Over
Verse 326. Restrain Mind As A Mahout An Elephant In Rut
Verse 327. The Elephant Mired
Verse 328. Cherish The Company Of The Good
Verse 329. The Lonely Recluse
Verse 330. For The Solitary The Needs Are Few
Verse 331. The Blessed
Verse 332. Blessing To Be An Arahat
Verse 333. Four Forms Of Blessing
Verse 334. The Increase Of Craving
Verse 335. How Craving Increases
Verse 336. Escaping Craving
Verse 337. Uprooting Craving
Verse 338. Craving Uneradicated Brings Suffering Over and Over
Verse 339. Caught In The Currents Of Craving
Verse 340. The Creeper of Craving
Verse 341. Bliss Does Not Come Through Craving
Verse 342. The Bonds That Entrap Men
Verse 343. Nibbana By Shunning Craving
Verse 344. Freed From Craving Runs Back To Craving
Verse 345. Bonds Of Attachment
Verse 346. Bonds Are Strong, But The Wise Get Rid Of Them
Verse 347. Spider Web Of Passion
Verse 348. Reaching The Further Shore
Verse 349. Craving Tightens Bonds
Verse 350. He Cuts Off Bonds Of Mara
Verse 351. The Person Who Has Reached The Goal
Verse 352. The Man Of Great Wisdom
Verse 353. Buddha Is Teacherless
Verse 354. The Conquest Of All Suffering
Verse 355. Wealth Destroys The Ignorant
Verse 356. Those Without The Bane Of Passion
Verse 357. Those Without The Bane Of Ill-Will
Verse 358. Those Without The Bane Of Illusion
Verse 359. Those Without The Bane Of Greed
Verse 360. Sense Discipline
Verse 361. Suffering End With All-Round Discipline
Verse 362. The True Monk
Verse 363. The Ideal Monk
Verse 364. The Monk Abides in Dhamma
Verse 365. Accept What One Receives
Verse 366. The Gods Adore Virtuous Monks
Verse 367. He Is A Monk Who Has No Attachment
Verse 368. The Monk Who Radiates Loving-Kindness Radiates Peace
Verse 369. Give Up Lust And Hatred
Verse 370. Flood-Crosser Is One Who Has Giver Up The Fetters
Verse 371. Meditate Earnestly
Verse 372. There Is No Wisdom In Those Who Do Not Think
Verse 373. He Who Is Calm Experiences Transcendental Joy
Verse 374. He Is Happy Who Reflects On Rise And Fall
Verse 375. A Wise Monk Possess His Cardinal Virtues
Verse 376. A Monk Should Be Cordial In All His Ways
Verse 377. Cast Off Lust And Hatred
Verse 378. He Is Peaceful Who Is Free From All Worldly Things
Verse 379. He Who Guards Himself Lives Happily
Verse 380. Your Are Your Own Saviour
Verse 381. With Joy And Faith Try To Win Your Goal
Verse 382. Even A Young Monk, If Devoted, Can Illuminate The Whole World
Verse 383. Be A Knower Of The Deathless
Verse 384. Cultivate Concentration
Verse 385. The Unfettered Person Is A Brahmana
Verse 386. Who Is Contemplative And Pure Is A Brahmin
Verse 387. The Buddha Shines Day And Night
Verse 388. He Who Had Discarded All Evil Is Holy
Verse 389. Harm Not An Arahat
Verse 390. An Arahat Does Not Retaliate
Verse 391. The Well-Restrained Is Truly A Brahmin
Verse 392. Honour To Whom Honour Is Due
Verse 393. One Does Not Become A Brahmin Merely By Birth
Verse 394. Be Pure Within
Verse 395. Who Meditates Alone in the Forest Is A Brahmana
Verse 396. Non-Possessive And The Non-Attached Person Is A Brahmana
Verse 397. A Brahmana Is He Who Has Destroyed All Fetters
Verse 398. A Brahmana Is He Who Has No Hatred
Verse 399. A Brahmana Is He Who Is Patient
Verse 400. A Brahmana Is He Who Is Not Wrathful
Verse 401. He Is A Brahmana Who Clings Not To Sensual Pleasures
Verse 402. A Brahmana Is He Who Has Laid The Burden Aside
Verse 403. A Brahmana Is He Who Has Reached His Ultimate Goal
Verse 404. A Brahmana Is He Who Has No Intimacy With Any
Verse 405. A Brahmana Is He Who Is Absolutely Harmless
Verse 406. A Brahmana Is He Who Is Friendly Amongst The Hostile
Verse 407. A Brahmana Is He Who Has Discarded All Passions
Verse 408. A Brahmana Is He Who Gives Offence To None
Verse 409. A Brahmana Is He Who Steals Not
Verse 410. A Brahmana Is He Who Is Desireless
Verse 411. In Whom There Is No Clinging
Verse 412. Above Both Good And Evil
Verse 413. Learning The Charm
Verse 414. The Tranquil Person
Verse 415. Freed From Temptation
Verse 416. The Miracle Rings
Verse 417. Beyond All Bonds
Verse 418. The Person Whose Mind Is Cool
Verse 419. Diviner Of Rebirth
Verse 420. Destroy Unknown
Verse 421. He Yearns For Nothing
Verse 422. He Who Is Rid Of Defilements
Verse 423. The Giver And Receiver Of Alms
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Verse 1. Suffering Follows The Evil-Doer
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Verse 423. The Giver And Receiver Of Alms
Verse 422. He Who Is Rid Of Defilements
Verse 421. He Yearns For Nothing
Verse 420. Destroy Unknown
Verse 419. Diviner Of Rebirth
Verse 418. The Person Whose Mind Is Cool
Verse 417. Beyond All Bonds
Verse 416. The Miracle Rings
Verse 415. Freed From Temptation
Verse 414. The Tranquil Person
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May all beings be happy
http://vipassana24.com/verse-33-the-wise-person-straightens-the-mind/
Verse 33. The Wise Person Straightens The Mind
Mind agitated, wavering,
hard to guard and hard to check,
one of wisdom renders straight
as arrow-maker a shaft.
Explanation: In the Dhammapada there are several references to the craftsmanship of the fletcher. The Buddha seems to have observed the process through which a fletcher transforms an ordinary stick into an efficient arrow-shaft. The disciplining of the mind is seen as being a parallel process. In this stanza the Buddha says that the wise one straightens and steadies the vacillating mind that is difficult to guard, like a fletcher straightening an arrow-shaft.
The Story of Venerable Meghiya (Verses 33 & 34)
While residing on the Calika Mountain, the Buddha spoke these verses, with reference to Venerable Meghiya.
Once, by reason of attachment to the three evil thoughts, lust, hatred, delusion, Venerable Meghiya was unable to practice Exertion in this mango-grove and returned to the Buddha. The Buddha said to him, “Meghiya, you committed a grievous fault. I asked you to remain, saying to you, ‘I am now alone, Meghiya. Just wait until some other monk appears’ But despite my request, you went your way. A monk should never leave me alone and go his way when I ask him to remain. A monk should never be controlled thus by his thoughts. As for thoughts, they are flighty, and a man ought always to keep them under his own control.”
At the conclusion of the stanzas Meghiya was established in the fruit of conversion and many other monks in the fruits of the second and third paths.
http://vipassana24.com/verse-34-the-fluttering-mind/
Verse 34. The Fluttering Mind As fish from watery home is drawn and cast upon the land, even so flounders this mind while Mara’s Realm abandoning. Explanation: When making an effort to abandon the realm of Mara (evil), the mind begins to quiver like a fish taken out of the water and thrown on land.http://vipassana24.com/verse-33-the-wise-person-straightens-the-mind/
Verse 35. Restrained Mind Leads To Happiness The mind is very hard to check and swift, it falls on what it wants. The training of the mind is good, a mind so tamed brings happiness. Explanation: The mind is exceedingly subtle and is difficult to be seen. It attaches on whatever target it wishes. The wise guard the mind. The guarded mind brings bliss.
http://vipassana24.com/verse-35-restrained-mind-leads-to-happiness/
The Story of a Certain Monk (Verse 35)
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to a certain monk.
On one occasion, sixty monks, after obtaining a meditation topic from the Buddha, went to Matika village, at the foot of a mountain. There, Matikamata, mother of the village headman, offered them alms-food; she also built a monastery for them, so that they could stay in the village during the rainy season. One day she asked the group of monks to teach her the practice of meditation. They taught her how to meditate on the thirty-two constituents of the body leading to the awareness of the decay and dissolution of the body. Matikamata practiced with diligence and attained the three maggas (paths) and phalas (fruits) together with analytical insight and mundane supernormal powers, even before the monks did.
Rising from the bliss of the magga and phala she looked with the divine power of sight (dibbacakkhu) and saw that the monks had not attained any of the Maggas yet. She also learnt that those monks had enough potentiality for the attainment of arahatship, but they needed proper food. So, she prepared good, choice food for them. With proper food and right effort, the monks developed right concentration and eventually attained arahatship.
At the end of the rainy season, the monks returned to the Jetavana Monastery, where the Buddha was in residence.
They reported to the Buddha that all of them were in good health and in comfortable circumstances and that they did not have to worry about food. They also mentioned Matikamata, who was aware of their thought and prepared and offered them the very food they wished for.
A certain monk, hearing them talking about Matikamata, decided that he, too, would go to that village. So, taking one meditation topic from the Buddha he arrived at the village monastery. There, he found that everything he wished for was sent to him by Matikamata, the lay-devotee. When he wished her to come she personally came to the monastery, bringing along choice food with her. After taking the food, he asked her if she knew the thoughts of others, but she evaded his question and replied, “People who can read the thoughts of others behave in such and such a way” Then, the monk thought, “Should I, like an ordinary worldling, entertain any impure thoughts, she is sure to find out.” He therefore got scared of the lay-devotee and decided to return to the Jetavana Monastery. He told the Buddha that he could not stay in Matika village because he was afraid that the lay-devotee might detect impure thoughts in him. The Buddha then asked him to observe just one thing; that is, to control his mind. The Buddha also told the monk to return to Matika village monastery, and not to think of anything else, but the object of his meditation only. The monk went back. The lay-devotee offered him good food as she had done to others before, so that he might be able to practice meditation without worry. Within a short time, he, too, attained arahatship.
Commentary
dunniggahassa, yatthakamanipatino: hard to control; focusing upon wherever it likes and on whatever it wishes. These two are given as characteristics of the mind. The mind is so quick and swift it is so difficult to get hold of it. Because it is nimble no one can restrain it unless the person is exceptionally disciplined. The other quality of the mind referred to in this stanza is its capacity to alight on anything it wishes. This is also a characteristic of the mind making it extremely difficult to keep in check. Our emotions are impersonal processes. They are not what we do. That is why they are difficult to control. It is only by not identifying with them that they can be stopped. By identifying with them, we give them strength. By calm observation as they come and go, they cease. They cannot be stopped by fighting with them.
Thank you so much 🙏
http://vipassana24.com/verse-36-protected-mind-leads-to-happiness/
All the above information is very useful
Verse 36. Protected Mind Leads To Happiness The mind is very hard to see and find, it falls on what it wants. One who’s wise should guard the mind, a guarded mind brings happiness. Explanation: The mind moves about so fast it is difficult to get hold of it fully. It is swift. It has a way of focusing upon whatever it likes. It is good and of immense advantage to tame the mind. The tame mind brings bliss.
The Story of a Certain Disgruntled Monk (Verse 36)
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to a young disgruntled monk who was the son of a banker.
While the Buddha was in residence at Savatthi, a certain banker’s son approached an elder who resorted to his house for alms and said to him, “Venerable, I desire to obtain release from suffering. Tell me some way by which I can obtain release from suffering” The elder replied, “Peace be unto you, brother. If you desire release from suffering, give alms-food, give fortnightly food, give lodging during the season of the rains, give bowls and robes and the other requisites. Divide your possessions into three parts: with one portion carry on your business; with another portion support son and wife; dispense the third portion in alms in the religion of the Buddha.”
“Very well, Venerable,” said the banker’s son, and did all in the prescribed order. Having done it, he returned to the elder and asked him, “Venerable, is there anything else I ought to do?” “Brother, take upon yourself the three refuges and the five precepts.” The banker’s son did so, and then asked whether there was anything else he ought to do. “Yes,” replied the elder, “Take upon yourself the ten precepts.” “Very well, Venerable,” said the banker’s son, and took upon himself the ten precepts. Because the banker’s son had in this manner performed works of merit, one after another, he came to be called Anupubba. Again he asked the elder, “Venerable, is there anything else I ought to do?” The elder replied, “Yes, become a monk.” The banker’s son immediately retired from the world and became a monk.
Now he had a teacher who was versed in the Abhid-hamma and a preceptor who was versed in the Vinaya. After he had made a full profession, whenever he approached his teacher, the latter repeated questions found in the Abhid-hamma, “In the religion of the Buddha it is lawful to do this, it is unlawful to do that.” And whenever he approached his preceptor, the latter repeated questions found in the Vinaya, “In the Religion of the Buddha it is lawful to do this, it is unlawful to do that; this is proper, this is improper.” After a time he thought to himself, “Oh what a wearisome task this is! I became a monk in order to obtain release from suffering, but here there is not even room for me to stretch out my hands. It is possible, however, to obtain release from suffering, even if one lives the householder’s. I should become a householder once more.”
The Buddha said, “Monk, are you discontented?” “Yes, Venerable, I became a monk in order to obtain release from suffering. But here there is not even room for me to stretch my hands. It is possible for me to obtain release from suffering as a householder.” The Buddha said, “Monk, if you can guard one thing, it will not be necessary for you to guard the rest.” “What is that, Venerable?” “Can you guard your thoughts?” “I can, Venerable.” “Then guard your thoughts alone.”
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Verse 37. Death’s Snare Can Be Broken By Tamed Mind Drifting far, straying all alone, formless, recumbent in a cave. They will be free from Mara’s bonds who restrain this mind. Explanation: The mind is capable of travelling vast distances – up or down, north or south, east or west – in any direction. It can travel to the past or the future. It roams about all alone. It is without any perceptible forms. If an individual were to restrain the mind fully, he will achieve freedom from the bonds of death
The Story of Monk Sangharakkhita (Verse 37)
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to the nephew of the monk Sangharakkhita.
Once there lived in Savatthi a senior monk by the name of Sangharakkhita. When his sister gave birth to a son, she named the child after the monk and he came to be known as Sangharakkhita Bhagineyya. The nephew Sangharakkhita, in due course, was admitted into the Sangha. While the young monk was staying in a village monastery he was offered two sets of robes, and he intended to offer one to his uncle, monk Sangharakkhita. At the end of the rainy season he went to his uncle to pay respect to him and offered the robe to the monk. But, the uncle declined to accept the robe, saying that he had enough. Although he repeated his request, the monk would not accept it. The young monk felt disheartened and thought that since his uncle was so unwilling to share the requisites with him, it would be better for him to leave the Sangha and live the life of a layman.
From that point, his mind wandered and a train of thoughts followed. He thought that after leaving the Sangha he would sell the robe and buy a she-goat; that the she-goat would breed quickly and soon he would make enough money to enable him to marry; his wife would give birth to a son. He would take his wife and child in a small cart to visit his
uncle at the monastery. On the way, he would say that he would carry the child; she would tell him to drive the cart and not to bother about the child. He would insist and grab the child from her; between them the child would fall on the cart-track and the wheel would pass over the child. He would get so furious with his wife that he would strike her with the goading-stick.
At that time he was fanning the monk with a palmyrah fan and he absent-mindedly struck the head of the monk with the fan. The monk, knowing the thoughts of the young monk, said, ” You were unable to beat your wife; why have you beaten an old monk?” Young Sangharakkhita was very much surprised and embarrassed at the words of the old monk; he also became extremely frightened. So he fled. Young monks and novices of the monastery chased after him, caught him, and finally brought him to the presence of the Buddha.
When told about the experience, the Buddha said that the mind has the ability to think of an object even though it might be far away, and that one should strive hard for liberation from the bondage of passion, ill will and ignorance. After the Buddha recited the stanza near the end of the discourse, the young monk attained sotapatti fruition.
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Verse 38. Wisdom Does Not Grow If the Mind Wavers One of unsteady mind, who doesn’t know True Dhamma, who is of wavering confidence wisdom fails to win. Explanation: If the mind of a person keeps on wavering, and if a person does not know the doctrine, if one’s enthusiasm keeps on fluctuating or flagging,, the wisdom of such a person does not grow.
The Story of Monk Cittahattha (Verses 38 & 39)
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke these verses, with reference to the monk Cittahattha.
A certain youth of a respectable family, a herdsman, living at Savatthi, went into the forest to look for an ox that was lost. During midday, he saw the ox and released the herds, and being oppressed by hunger and thirst, he thought to himself, “1 can surely get something to eat from the noble monks” So he entered the monastery, went to the monks, bowed to them, and stood respectfully on one side. Now at that time the food which remained over and above to the monks who had eaten lay in the vessel used for refuse. When the monks saw that youth, exhausted by hunger as he was, they said to him, “Here is food; take and eat it.” (When a Buddha is living in the world, there is always a plentiful supply of rice-porridge, together with various sauces). So the youth took and ate as much food as he needed drank water, washed his hands, and then bowed to the monks and asked them, “Venerable, did you go to some house by invitation today?” “No, lay disciple; monks always receive food in this way.”
The youth thought to himself, “No matter how busy and active we may be, though we work continually both by night and by day, we never get rice-porridge so deliciously seasoned. But these monks, according to their own statement, eat it continually. Why should I remain a layman any longer? I will become a monk.” Accordingly he approached the monks and asked to be received into the Sangha. The monks said to him, “Very well, lay disciple” and received him into the Sangha. After making his full profession, he performed all the various major and minor duties; and in but a few days, sharing in the rich offerings which accrue in the Buddha’s Dispensation, he became fat and comfortable.
Then he thought to himself, “Why should I live on food obtained by making the alms-round? I will become a layman once more” So back he went and entered his house. After working in his house for only a few days, his body became thin and weak. Thereupon he said to himself, “Why should I endure this suffering any longer? I will become a monk.” So back he went and re-ordained. But after spending a few days as a monk, becoming discontented again, went back to lay-life.
“Why should I live the life of a layman any longer? I will become a monk.” So saying, he went to the monks, bowed, and asked to be received into the Sangha. Because he had been with them, the monks received him into the Sangha once more. In this manner he entered the Sangha and left it again six times in succession. The monks said to themselves, “This man lives under the sway of his thoughts.” So they gave him the name Thought-Controlled, elder Cittahattha.
As he was thus going back and forth, his wife became pregnant. The seventh time he returned from the forest with his farming implements he went to the house, put his implements away, and entered his own room, saying to himself, “I will put on my yellow robe again.” Now his wife happened to be in bed and asleep at the time. Her undergarment had fallen off, saliva was flowing from her mouth, she was snoring, her mouth was wide open; she appeared to him like a swollen corpse. Grasping the thought, “All that is in this world is transitory, is involved in suffering,” he said to himself, “To think that because of her, all the time I have been a monk, I have been unable to continue steadfast in the monastic life!” Straightaway, taking his yellow robe, he ran out of the house, binding the robe about his belly as he ran.
Now his mother-in-law lived in the same house with him. When she saw him departing in this way, she said to herself, “This renegade, who but this moment returned from the forest, is running from the house, binding his yellow robe about him as he runs, and is making for the monastery. What is the meaning of this?” Entering the house and seeing her daughter asleep, she knew at once, “It was because he saw her sleeping that he became disgusted, and went away.” So she shook her daughter and said to her, “Rise, your husband saw you asleep, became disgusted, and went away. He will not be your husband henceforth.” “Begone, mother. What does it matter whether he has gone or not? He will be back again in but a few days.”
As Cittahattha proceeded on his way, repeating the words, “All that is in this world is transitory, is involved in suffering,” he obtained the fruit of conversion (sotapatti phala). Continuing his journey, he went to the monks, bowed to them, and asked to be received into the Sangha. “No,” said the monks, “we cannot receive you into the Sangha. Why should you become a monk? Your head is like a grindstone.” “Venerable, receive me into the Sangha just this once.” Because he had helped them, they received him into the Sangha. After a few days he attained ara-hatship, together with the supernatural faculties.
Thereupon they said to him, “Brother Cittahattha, doubtless you alone will decide when it is time for you to go away again; you have remained here a long while this time.” “Venerables, when I was attached to the world, I went away; but now I have put away attachment to the world; I have no longer any desire to go away” The monks went to the Buddha and said, “Venerable, we said such and such to this monk, and he said such and such to us in reply. He utters falsehood, says what is not true” The Buddha replied, “Yes, monks, when my son’s mind was unsteady, when he knew not the good law, then he went and came. But now he has renounced both good and evil.”
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Verse 39. The Wide-Awake Is Unfrightened One of unflooded mind, a mind that is not battered, abandoning evil, merit too, no fear for One Awake. Explanation: For the person who’s mind is not dampened by passion, unaffected by ill-will and who has risen above both good and evil, there is no fear because he is wide-awake. The Story of Monk Cittahattha (Verses 38 & 39)
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Verse 40. Weapons To Defeat Death Having known this urn-like body, made firm this mind as fortress town, with wisdom-weapon one fights Mara while guarding booty, unattached. Explanation: It is realistic to think of the body as vulnerable, fragile, frail and easily disintegrated. In fact, one must consider it as a clay vessel. The mind should be thought of as a city. One has to be perpetually mindful to protect the city. Forces of evil have to be fought with the weapons of wisdom. After the battle, once you have achieve victory, live without being attached to the mortal self.
The Story of Five Hundred Monks (Verse 40)
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to five hundred monks.
Five hundred monks from Savatthi, after obtaining a meditation topic from the Buddha, travelled for a distance of one hundred leagues away from Savatthi and came to a large forest grove, a suitable place for meditation practice. The guardian spirits of the trees dwelling in that forest thought that if those monks were staying in the forest, it would not be proper for them to live with their families.
They descended from the trees, thinking that the monks would stop there only for one night. But the monks were still there at the end of a fortnight; then it occurred to them that the monks might be staying there till the end of the vassa. In that case, they and their families would have to be living on the ground for a long time. So, they decided to frighten away the monks, by making ghostly sounds and frightful apparitions. They showed up with bodies without heads, and with heads without bodies. The monks were very upset and left the place and returned to the Buddha, to whom they related everything.
On hearing their account, the Buddha told them that this had happened because previously they went without any protection and that they should go back there armed with suitable protection. So saying, the Buddha taught them the protective discourse Metta Sutta at length (Loving-Kindness) beginning with the following stanza:
Karaniyamattha kusalena –
yam tarn santam padam abhisamecca
sakko uju ca suju ca –
suvaco c’assa mudu anatimani.
“He who is skilled in (acquiring)
what is good and beneficial,
(mundane as well as supramundane),
aspiring to attain perfect peace (Nibbana)
should act (thus):
He should be efficient, upright, perfectly upright,
compliant, gentle and free from conceit”
The monks were instructed to recite the sutta from the time they came to the outskirts of the forest grove and to enter the monastery reciting it. The monks returned to the forest grove and did as they were told.
The guardian spirits of the trees receiving loving-kindness from the monks reciprocated by welcoming them and not harming them. There were no more ghostly sounds and frightening sights. Thus left in peace, the monks meditated on the body and came to realize its fragile and impermanent nature.
From the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha, by his supernormal power, learned about the progress of the monks and sent forth his radiance making them feel his presence. To them he said, “Monks just as you have realized, the body is, indeed, impermanent and fragile like an earthen jar.”
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Verse 41. Without The Mind, Body Is Worthless Not long alas, and it will lie this body, here upon the earth. Discarded, void of consciousness, useless as a rotten log. Explanation: Soon, this body, without consciousness, discarded like a decayed worthless log, will lie on the earth.
The Story of Tissa, the Monk with a Stinking Body (Verse 41)
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to the monk Tissa.
After taking a meditation topic from the Buddha, monk Tissa was diligently practicing meditation when he was afflicted with a disease. Small boils appeared all over his body and these developed into big sores. When these sores burst, his upper and lower robes became sticky and stained with body fluids, and his body was stinking. For this reason, he was known as Putigattatissa, Tissa the thera with a stinking body.
Now the Buddha never failed to survey the world twice a day. At dawn he surveyed the world, looking from the rim of the world towards the perfumed chamber. Now at this time the Venerable Putigatta Tissa appeared within the net of the Buddha’s sight.
The Buddha, knowing that the monk Tissa was ripe for arahatship, thought to himself, ‘This monk has been abandoned by his associates; at the present time he has no other refuge than me.” Accordingly the Buddha departed from the perfumed chamber, and pretending to be making the rounds of the monastery, went to the hall where the fire was kept. He washed the boiler, placed it on the brazier, waited in the fire-room for the water to boil, and when he knew it was hot, went and took hold of the end of the bed where that monk was lying.
At that time the monks said to the Buddha, ‘Tray depart, Venerable; we will carry him out for you’ So saying, they took up the bed and carried Tissa into the fire-room. The Buddha caused the monks to take Tissa’s upper garment, wash it thoroughly in hot water, and lay it in the sunshine to dry. Then he went, and taking his stand near Tissa, moistened his body with warm water and bathed him.
At the end of his bath his upper garment was dry. The Buddha caused him to be clothed in his upper garment and washed thoroughly his under garment in hot water and laid in the sun to dry. As soon as the water had evaporated from his body, his under garment was dry. Thereupon Tissa put on his under garment and, with body refreshed and mind tranquil, lay down on the bed. The Buddha took his stand at Tissa’s pillow and said to him, “Monk, consciousness will depart from you, your body will become useless and, like a log, will lie on the ground.” At the end of the discourse monk Tissa attained arahatship together with analytical insight, and soon passed away.
The Story of Tissa, the Monk with a Stinking Body (Verse 41)
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to the monk Tissa.
After taking a meditation topic from the Buddha, monk Tissa was diligently practicing meditation when he was afflicted with a disease. Small boils appeared all over his body and these developed into big sores. When these sores burst, his upper and lower robes became sticky and stained with body fluids, and his body was stinking. For this reason, he was known as Putigattatissa, Tissa the thera with a stinking body.
Now the Buddha never failed to survey the world twice a day. At dawn he surveyed the world, looking from the rim of the world towards the perfumed chamber. Now at this time the Venerable Putigatta Tissa appeared within the net of the Buddha’s sight.
The Buddha, knowing that the monk Tissa was ripe for arahatship, thought to himself, ‘This monk has been abandoned by his associates; at the present time he has no other refuge than me.” Accordingly the Buddha departed from the perfumed chamber, and pretending to be making the rounds of the monastery, went to the hall where the fire was kept. He washed the boiler, placed it on the brazier, waited in the fire-room for the water to boil, and when he knew it was hot, went and took hold of the end of the bed where that monk was lying.
At that time the monks said to the Buddha, ‘Tray depart, Venerable; we will carry him out for you’ So saying, they took up the bed and carried Tissa into the fire-room. The Buddha caused the monks to take Tissa’s upper garment, wash it thoroughly in hot water, and lay it in the sunshine to dry. Then he went, and taking his stand near Tissa, moistened his body with warm water and bathed him.
At the end of his bath his upper garment was dry. The Buddha caused him to be clothed in his upper garment and washed thoroughly his under garment in hot water and laid in the sun to dry. As soon as the water had evaporated from his body, his under garment was dry. Thereupon Tissa put on his under garment and, with body refreshed and mind tranquil, lay down on the bed. The Buddha took his stand at Tissa’s pillow and said to him, “Monk, consciousness will depart from you, your body will become useless and, like a log, will lie on the ground.” At the end of the discourse monk Tissa attained arahatship together with analytical insight, and soon passed away.
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Verse 42. All Wrong Issue Out Of Evil Mind Whatever foe may do to foe, or haters those they hate the ill-directed mind indeed can do one greater harm. Explanation: When one bandit see another, he attacks the second bandit. In the same way, one person sees someone he hates, he also does harm to the hated person. But what the badly deployed mind does to the possessor of that mind is far worse than what a bandit would do to another bandit or what one hater will do to another hater.
The Story of Nanda, the Herdsman (Verse 42)
While on a visit to a village in the kingdom of Kosala, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to Nanda, the herdsman.
Nanda was a herdsman who looked after the cows of Anathapindika. Although only a herdsman, he had some means of his own. Occasionally, he would go to the house of Anathapindika and there he sometimes met the Buddha and listened to his discourses. Nanda requested the Buddha to pay a visit to his house. But the Buddha did not go to Nanda’s house immediately, saying that it was not yet time.
After some time, while travelling with his followers, the Buddha went off his route to visit Nanda, knowing that the time had come for Nanda to receive his teaching properly. Nanda respectfully received the Buddha and his followers; he served them milk and milk products and other choice foods for seven days. On the last day, after hearing the discourse given by the Buddha, Nanda attained sotapatti fruition. As the Buddha was leaving that day, Nanda carrying the bowl of the Buddha, followed him for some distance, paid obeisance and turned back to go home.
At that instant, a stray arrow shot by a hunter, killed him. Later the monks, who were following the Buddha, saw Nanda lying dead. They reported the matter to the Buddha, saying, “Venerable, because you came here, Nanda who made great offerings to you and accompanied you on your return was killed as he was turning back to go home.” To them, the Buddha replied, “Monks, whether I came here or not, there was no escape from death for him because of his previous kamma.”
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Verse 43. Well-Trained Mind Excels People What one’s mother, what one’s father, whatever other kin may do, the well directed mind indeed can do greater good. Explanation: Well directed thoughts can help a person better than one’s father or one’s mother.
The Story of Soreyya (Verse 43)
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to Soreyya, the son of a rich man of the city of Soreyya. On one occasion, Soreyya accompanied by a friend and some attendants was going out in a carriage for a bath. At that moment, monk Mahakaccayana was adjusting his robes outside the city, as he was going into the city of Soreyya for alms-food. The youth Soreyya, seeing the youthful complexion of the monk, thought, “How I wish the monk were my wife, so that the complexion of my wife would be like his” As the wish arose in him, his sex changed and he became a woman. Very much ashamed, he got down from the carriage and ran away, taking the road to Taxila. His companions looked for him, but they could not find him.
Soreyya, now a woman, offered her signet ring to some people going to Taxila, to allow her to go with them in their carriage. Upon arrival at Taxila, her companions told a young rich man of Taxila about the lady who came along with them. The young rich man, finding her to be very beautiful and of a suitable age for him, married her. As a result of this marriage two sons were born; there were also two sons from the previous marriage of Soreyya as a man.
One day, a rich man’s son from the city of Soreyya came to Taxila with a caravan of five hundred carts. Lady Soreyya, recognizing him to be an old friend, sent for him. The man from Soreyya was surprised that he was invited, because he did not know the lady who invited him. He told the Lady Soreyya that he did not know her, and asked her whether she knew him.
She answered that she knew him and also enquired after the health of her family and other people in the city of Soreyya. The man from Soreyya next told her about the rich man’s son who disappeared mysteriously while going for a bath.
Then the Lady Soreyya revealed her identity and related all that had happened, about the wrongful thoughts with regard to monk Mahakaccayana, about the change of sex, and her marriage to the young rich man of Taxila. The man from the city of Soreyya then advised the Lady Soreyya to ask pardon from the monk. Monk Mahakaccayana was accordingly invited to the home of Soreyya and alms-food was offered to him. After the meal, the Lady Soreyya was brought to the presence of the monk, and the man from Soreyya told the monk that the lady was at one time the son of a rich man from Soreyya. He then explained to the monk how Soreyya was turned into a female on account of his wrongful thoughts towards the respected monk.
Lady Soreyya then respectfully asked pardon of Monk Mahakaccayana. The monk then said, “Get up, I forgive you” As soon as these words were spoken, the woman was changed back to a man. Soreyya then pondered how within a single existence and with a single body he had undergone change of sex and how sons were born to him. And feeling very weary and repulsive of all these things, he decided to leave the householder’s life and joined the sangha under the monk.
After that, he was often asked, “Whom do you love more, the two sons you had as a man or the other two you had as a woman?” To those, he would answer that his love for those borne as a woman was greater. This question was put to him so often, he felt very much annoyed and ashamed. So he stayed by himself and, with diligence, contemplated the decay and dissolution of the body. He soon attained arahatship together with the analytical insight. When the old question was next put to him he replied that he had no affection for any one in particular. Other monks hearing him thought he must be telling a lie. When it was reported about Soreyya giving a different answer, the Buddha said, “My son is not telling lies, he is speaking the truth.”