Dhammapada Verse 152 - Laludayi Thera Vatthu

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

Dhammapada Verse 152 - Laludayi Thera Vatthu
Appassutayam puriso

balibaddova grati

mamsani tassa vaddhanti

panna tassa na vaddhati.

Verse 152: This man of little learning grows old like an ox; only his flesh grows but not his wisdom.

The Story of Thera Laludayi

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (152) of this book, with reference to Laludayi, a thera with little intelligence.

Laludayi was a bhikkhu who was dim-witted and very absent-minded. He could never say things which were appropriate to the occasion, although he tried hard. Thus, on joyful and auspicious occasions he would talk about sorrow, and on sorrowful occasions he would talk about joy and gladness. Besides, he never realized that he had been saying things which were inappropriate to the occasion. When told about this, the Buddha said, "One like Laludayi who has little knowledge is just like an ox."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 152: This man of little learning grows old like an ox; only his flesh grows but not his wisdom.

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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