法句譬喻經 16.p1

Texts from the Buddhist Canon commonly known as Dhammapada, with accompanying narratives 16.p1

Language: English

16.p1.1

In old time, when Buddha was residing at Śrāvastī, there was an old mendicant called Pan-teh-san (Patisena?) who being by nature cross and dull, could not learn so much as one Gāthā by heart. Buddha accordingly ordered 500 Rahats day by day to instruct him, but after three years he still was unable to remember even the one Gāthā. Then all the people of the country (the four orders of people) knowing his ignorance, began to ridicule him, on which Buddha, pitying his case, called him to his side, and gently repeated the following stanza :—"He who guards his mouth, and restrains his thoughts, he who offends not with his body, the man who acts thus shall obtain deliverance.” Then Patisena, moved by a sense of the Master's goodness to him, felt his heart opened, and at once he repeated the stanza. Buddha then addressed him further—"You now, an old man, can repeat a stanza only, and men know this, and they will still ridicule you, therefore I will now explain the meaning of the verse to you, and do you on your part attentively listen.” Then Buddha declared the three causes connected with the body, the four connected with the mouth, and the three connected with the thoughts, by destroying which men might obtain deliverance, on which the mendicant, fully realising the truth thus explained, obtained the condition of a Rahat.

16.p1.2

Now, at this time there were 500 Bhikshunīs (Nuns) dwelling in their Vihāra, who sent one of their number to Buddha to request him to send them a priest to instruct them in the Law, on which Buddha desired the old mendicant Patisena to go to them for this purpose. On hearing that this arrangement had been made, all the nuns began to laugh together, and agreed on the morrow, when he came, to say the Gāthā wrong (backward), and so confuse the old man and put him to shame. Then on the morrow when he came, all the Bhikshunīs, great and small, went forth to salute him, and as they did so, they looked at one another and smiled. Then sitting down, they offered him food. Having eaten and washed his hands, they then begged him to begin his sermon. On which the aged mendicant ascended the elevated seat, and sitting down, began: “Sisters! my talent is small, my learning is very little. I know only one Gāthā, but I will repeat that and explain its meaning. Do you listen with attention and understand.” Then all the young nuns began to attempt to say the Gāthā backwards; but lo! they could not open their mouths; and filled with shame, they hung down their heads in sorrow. Then Patisena having repeated the Gāthā, began to explain it, head by head, as Buddha had instructed him. Then all the female mendicants hearing his words, were filled with surprise, and rejoicing to hear such instruction, with one heart they received it, and became Rahats.

16.p1.3

On the day after this the King Prasenajit invited Buddha and the whole congregation of priests to assemble at his palace (and partake of hospitality). Buddha therefore recognising the superior and reverend appearance of Patisena, desired him to bear his alms-dish and follow him as he went. But when they came to the palace-gate, the porter, knowing his character (antecedents), would not let him go into the hall; for “We have no hospitality,” said he, “for a priest who knows but one Gāthā; there is no room for such common fellows as you—make place for your betters and begone.” Patisena accordingly sat down outside the door. Buddha having now ascended the dais, after having washed his hands, lo! the arm of Patisena, with the alms-dish in its hand, entered the room. Then the King, the ministers, and all the assembly, seeing this sight, were filled with astonishment, and said—"Ah! what arm is this?” On which Buddha replied, “It is the arm of Patisena, the mendicant. He has but just obtained enlightenment, and I desired him to bear my alms-dish behind me; but the porter has refused him admission, and so his arm has appeared with my begging-dish in the hand.” On this he was admitted and entered the assembly. Then Prasenajit, turning to Buddha, said—"I hear that this Patisena is a man of small ability, and knows only one Gāthā, how, then, has he obtained the supreme wisdom?” To whom Buddha replied—"Learning need not be much, conduct is the first thing.

16.p1.4

This Patisena has allowed the secret virtue of the words of this one Gāthā to penetrate his spirit; his body, mouth, and thoughts have obtained perfect quietude; for though a man know ever so much, if his knowledge reach not to his life, to deliver him from the power which leads to destruction, what benefit can all his learning be?” and then Buddha repeated the following stanzas:

Linked texts (1)

法句譬喻經 — Classical Chinese