Dhammapada Verse 251 - Panca Upasaka Vatthu

Tipitaka » Sutta Pitaka » Khuddaka Nikaya » Dhammapada

Source: Adapted from the original translation by Daw Mya Tin, M.A.

Dhammapada Verse 251 - Panca Upasaka Vatthu
Natthi ragasamo aggi

natthi dosasamo gaho

natthi mohasamam jalam

natthi tanhaisama nadi(1)

Verse 251: There is no fire like passion, there is no grip like ill will, there is no net like ignorance, there is no river like craving.

1. natthi tanhasama nadi: There is no river like craving. This is because although a river can be full at times, craving can never be full, ie., satiated.

The Story of Five Lay-disciples

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (251) of this book, with reference to five lay disciples.

On one occasion, five lay-disciples were present while the Buddha was expounding the Dhamma at the Jetavana monastery. One of them was asleep while sitting, the second one was drawing lines with his fingers on the ground, the third was trying to shake a tree, the fourth was looking up at the sky. The fifth was the only one who was respectfully and attentively listening to the Buddha. Thera Ananda, who was near the Buddha fanning him saw the different behaviour of the five disciples and said to the Buddha, "Venerable Sir! While you were expounding the Dhamma like big drops of rain falling from the sky, only one out of those five people were listening attentively." Then Thera Ananda described the different behaviour of the other four to the Buddha and asked why they were behaving thus.

The Buddha then explained to Thera Ananda, "Ananda, these people could not get rid of their old habits. In their past existences, the first one was a snake; as a snake usually coils itself up and goes to sleep, so also, this man goes to sleep while listening to the Dhamma. The one who was scratching the earth with his hand was an earthworm, the one who was shaking the tree was a monkey, the one who was gazing up at the sky was an astronomer and the one who was listening attentively to the Dhamma was a learned astrologer. In this connection, Ananda, you must remember that one must be attentive to be able to understand the Dhamma and that there are many people who cannot follow what was being said."

Thera Ananda then asked the Buddha, "Venerable Sir! What are the things that prevent people from being able to take in the Dhamma?" And the Buddha replied, "Ananda, passion (raga), ill will (dosa) and ignorance (moha) are the three things that prevent people from taking in the Dhamma. Passion burns one; there is no fire like passion. The world may burn up when seven suns rise in the sky, but that happens very rarely. Passion burns always and without any break."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 251: There is no fire like passion, there is no grip like ill will, there is no net like ignorance, there is no river like craving.

At the end of the discourse the one who was listening attentively attained Sotapatti Fruition.

Credits
Translated by Daw Mya Tin, M.A.

Edited by Editorial Committee, Burma Tipitaka Association Rangoon, Burma, 1986

Courtesy of Nibbana.com

For free distribution only, as a gift of dhamma.

Wikipitaka edition © 2014.