Dhammapada Verses 87, 88 and 89 - Pancasata Agantukabhikkhu Vatthu

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

Dhammapada Verses 87, 88 and 89 - Pancasata Agantukabhikkhu Vatthu
Kanham dhammam vippahaya

sukkam bhavetha pandito

oka anokamagamma(1)

viveke(2) yattha duramam.

Tatrabhiratimiccheyya

hitva kame akincano(3)

pariyodapeyya attanam

cittaklesehi(4) pandito.

Yesam sambodhiyangesu(5)

samma cittam subhavitam

adanapatinissagge

anupadaya ye rata

khinasava(6) jutimanto(7)

te loke parinibbuta(8)

Verses 87 & 88: The man of wisdom, leaving the home of craving and having Nibbana as his goal, should give up dark, evil ways and cultivate pure, good ones. He should seek great delight in solitude, detachment and Nibbana, which an ordinary man finds so difficult to enjoy. He should also give up sensual pleasures, and clinging to nothing, should cleanse himself of all impurities of the mind.

Verse 89: Those, with mind well-developed in the seven Factors of Enlightenment (bojjhanga), having rid themselves of all craving, rejoice in their abandonment of attachment. Such men, with all moral intoxicants eradicated, and powerful (with the light of Arahatta Magganana), have realized Nibbana in this world (i.e., with Khandha aggregates remaining).

1. oka anakamagamma; lit., having gone from home to the homeless. In this context interpreted as leaving the seat of craving and having Nibbana as a goal.

2. viveke: solitude, detachment, Nibbana.

3. akincano: lit., having nothing; clinging to nothing. (The term kincana may include any of the kilesas or defilements such as passion, ill will, ignorance, etc; it also means clinging or attachment to the world.)

4. cittaklesehi: citta kilesa: impurities of the mind.

5. sambodhiyangesu: sambojjhanga: the Factors of Enlightenment or requisites for attaining Magga Insight.

6. khinasava: one in whom human passions are extinguished; an arahat.

7. jutimanta: one endowed with the power of Arahatta Magganana.

8. te loke parinibbuta: the realization of Nibbana in the realm of the five aggregates (khandhas), or in other words, in this world. But according to the Commentary, in this context, both Sa-upadisesa and Anupadisesa Nibbana are meant. Sa-upadisesa or Kilesa Nibbana is Nibbana with groups of existence or khandhas remaining; it is realized by an arahat on the attainment of arahatship. Anupadisesa or Khandha Nibbana is Nibbana without groups of existence or khandhas remaining. It takes place on the death of an arahat.

The Story of Five Hundred Visiting Bhikkhus

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (87), (88) and (89) of this book, with reference to five hundred visiting bhikkhus.

Five hundred bhikkhus who had spent the vassa(rainy season 3 months) in Kosala came to pay homage to the Buddha at the Jetavana monastery, at the end of the vassa(rainy season).

The Buddha uttered the following three verses to suit their various temperaments:

Verses 87 & 88: The man of wisdom, leaving the home of craving and having Nibbana as his goal, should give up dark, evil ways and cultivate pure, good ones. He should seek great delight in solitude, detachment and Nibbana, which an ordinary man finds so difficult to enjoy. He should also give up sensual pleasures, and clinging to nothing, should cleanse himself of all impurities of the mind.

Verse 89: Those, with mind well-developed in the seven Factors of Enlightenment (bojjhanga), having rid themselves of all craving, rejoice in their abandonment of attachment. Such men, with all moral intoxicants eradicated, and powerful (with the light of Arahatta Magganana), have realized Nibbana in this world (i.e., with Khandha aggregates remaining).

End of Chapter Six: The Wise (Panditavagga)

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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