Dhammapada 19.4: 4. Lakuṇḍakabhaddiyattheravatthu

19.4.p1

Na tena thero so hotīti imaṃ dhammadesanaṃ satthā jetavane viharanto lakuṇḍakabhaddiyattheraṃ ārabbha kathesi.

Not therefore is a man an Elder. This religious instruction was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Jetavana with reference to Elder Lakuṇṭaka Bhaddiya.

19.4.p2

Ekadivasañhi tasmiṃ there satthu upaṭṭhānaṃ gantvā pakkantamatte tiṃsamattā āraññikā bhikkhū taṃ passantā eva āgantvā satthāraṃ vanditvā nisīdiṃsu. Satthā tesaṃ arahattūpanissayaṃ disvā imaṃ pañhaṃ pucchi – ‘‘ito gataṃ ekaṃ theraṃ passathā’’ti? ‘‘Na passāma, bhante’’ti. ‘‘Kiṃ nu diṭṭho vo’’ti? ‘‘Ekaṃ, bhante, sāmaṇeraṃ passimhā’’ti. ‘‘Na so, bhikkhave, sāmaṇero, thero eva so’’ti? ‘‘Ativiya khuddako, bhante’’ti. ‘‘Nāhaṃ, bhikkhave, mahallakabhāvena therāsane nisinnamattakena theroti vadāmi. Yo pana saccāni paṭivijjhitvā mahājanassa ahiṃsakabhāve ṭhito, ayaṃ thero nāmā’’ti vatvā imā gāthā abhāsi –

For on a certain day this Elder went to wait upon the Teacher. As he departed, Thirty forest monks saw him. The monks went to the Teacher, saluted him, and sat down respectfully on one side. The Teacher, perceiving that they were ripe for Arahatship, asked them

this question, “Did you see a certain Elder leave this place?” “No, Reverend Sir, we did not.” “You did not?” “We saw a certain novice, Reverend Sir.” “Monks, he was no novice; he was an Elder.” “He was exceedingly young, Reverend Sir.” “Monks, I do not call a man an Elder merely because he is old, because he sits in the seat of an Elder; but he who comprehends the Truths and is ever kind to others, he is an Elder indeed.” So saying, he pronounced the following Stanzas,

19.4.260

‘‘Na tena thero so hoti, yenassa palitaṃ siro;
Paripakko vayo tassa, moghajiṇṇoti vuccati.

260. Not therefore is a man an Elder because his head is gray;
Though he be ripe in years, yet he is called ‘Old-in-vain.’”
261. That man in whom dwell truth, righteousness, non-injury, temperance, and self-control,
He that has rid himself of his faults and is steadfast, that man is truly called an Elder.

19.4.261

‘‘Yamhi saccañca dhammo ca, ahiṃsā saṃyamo damo;
Sa ve vantamalo dhīro, thero iti pavuccatī’’ti.

19.4.261_2

Tattha paripakkoti pariṇato, vuḍḍhabhāvaṃ pattoti attho. Moghajiṇṇoti anto therakarānaṃ dhammānaṃ abhāvena tucchajiṇṇo nāma. Yamhi saccañca dhammo cāti yamhi pana puggale soḷasahākārehi paṭividdhattā catubbidhaṃ saccaṃ, ñāṇena sacchikatattā navavidho lokuttaradhammo ca atthi. Ahiṃsāti ahiṃsanabhāvo. Desanāmattametaṃ, yamhi pana catubbidhāpi appamaññābhāvanā atthīti attho. Saṃyamo damoti sīlañceva indriyasaṃvaro ca. Vantamaloti maggañāṇena nīhaṭamalo. Dhīroti dhitisampanno. Theroti so imehi thirabhāvakārakehi samannāgatattā theroti vuccatīti attho.

19.4.261_3

Desanāvasāne te bhikkhū arahatte patiṭṭhahiṃsūti.

19.4.261_4

Lakuṇḍakabhaddiyattheravatthu catutthaṃ.