Dhammapada Verses 260 and 261 - Lakundakabhaddiyatthera Vatthu

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

Dhammapada Verses 260 and 261 - Lakundakabhaddiyatthera Vatthu
Na tena thero so hoti

yenassa palitam siro

paripakko vayo tassa

"moghajinno" ti vuccati.

Yamhi saccanca dhammo ca

ahimsa samyamo damo

sa ve vantamalo(1) dhiro

"thero2" iti pavuccati.

Verse 260: He is not a thera just because his head is grey; he who is ripe only in years is called "one grown old in vain".

Verse 261: Only a wise man who comprehends the Four Noble Truths and the Dhamma, who is harmless and virtuous, who restrains his senses and has rid himself of moral defilements is indeed called a thera.

1. vantamalo: lit., has vomited impurities.

2. thero: an Elder, i.e., a senior member of the Buddhist Order; but often applied to bhikkhus in general.

The Story of Thera Bhaddiya

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (260) and (261) of this book, with reference to Thera Bhaddiya. He was also known as Lakundaka Bhaddiya because he was very short in stature.

One day, thirty bhikkhus came to pay obeisance to the Buddha. The Buddha knew that time was ripe for those thirty bhikkhus to attain arahatship. So he asked them whether they had seen a thera as they came into the room. They answered that they did not see a thera but they saw only a young samanera as they came in. Whereupon, the Buddha said to them, "Bhikkhus! That person is not a samanera, he is a senior bhikkhu although he is small-built and very unassuming. I do say that one is not a thera just because he is old and looks like a thera; only he who comprehends the Four Noble Truths and does not harm others is to be called a thera."

Verse 260: He is not a thera just because his head is grey; he who is ripe only in years is called "one grown old in vain".

Verse 261: Only a wise man who comprehends the Four Noble Truths and the Dhamma, who is harmless and virtuous, who restrains his senses and has rid himself of moral defilements is indeed called a thera.

At the end of the discourse those thirty bhikkhus attained arahatship.

Credits
Translated by Daw Mya Tin, M.A.

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

Courtesy of Nibbana.com

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