Dhammapada 4.7: 7. Chattapāṇiupāsakavatthu

4.7.p1

Yathāpi ruciraṃ pupphanti imaṃ dhammadesanaṃ satthā sāvatthiyaṃ viharanto chattapāṇiupāsakaṃ ārabbha kathesi.

*Like a beautiful flower.* This religious instruction was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Sāvatthi with reference to the lay disciple Chattapāṇi.

4.7.p2

Sāvatthiyañhi chattapāṇi nāma upāsako tipiṭakadharo anāgāmī. So pātova uposathiko hutvā satthu upaṭṭhānaṃ agamāsi. Anāgāmiariyasāvakānañhi samādānavasena uposathakammaṃ nāma natthi, maggeneva tesaṃ brahmacariyañca ekabhattikañca āgataṃ. Tenevāha – ‘‘ghaṭikāro kho, mahārāja, kumbhakāro ekabhattiko brahmacārī sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo’’ti (ma. ni. 2.288). Evaṃ anāgāmino pakatiyāva ekabhattikā ca brahmacārino ca honti. Sopi tatheva uposathiko hutvā satthāraṃ upasaṅkamitvā vanditvā dhammakathaṃ suṇanto nisīdi. Tasmiṃ samaye rājā pasenadi kosalo satthu upaṭṭhānaṃ agamāsi. Chattapāṇi upāsako taṃ āgacchantaṃ disvā ‘‘uṭṭhātabbaṃ nu kho, no’’ti cintetvā – ‘‘ahaṃ aggarājassa santike nisinno, tassa me padesarājānaṃ disvā uṭṭhātuṃ na yuttaṃ, rājā kho pana me anuṭṭhahantassa kujjhissati, etasmiṃ kujjhantepi neva uṭṭhahissāmi. Rājānaṃ disvā uṭṭhahantena hi rājā garukato hoti, no satthā, tasmā neva uṭṭhahissāmī’’ti na uṭṭhahi. Paṇḍitapurisā nāma garutarānaṃ santike nisīditvā anuṭṭhahantaṃ disvā na kujjhanti. Rājā pana taṃ anuṭṭhahantaṃ disvā kupitamānaso satthāraṃ vanditvā ekamantaṃ nisīdi. Satthā kupitabhāvaṃ ñatvā, ‘‘mahārāja, ayaṃ chattapāṇi upāsako paṇḍito diṭṭhadhammo tipiṭakadharo atthānatthakusalo’’ti upāsakassa guṇaṃ kathesi. Rañño tassa guṇakathaṃ suṇantasseva cittaṃ mudukaṃ jātaṃ.

For at Sāvatthi lived a lay disciple named Chattapāṇi, versed in the Tipiṭaka, enjoying the Fruit of the Second Path. Early one morning, in observance of Fast-day, he went to pay his respects to the Teacher. (For those who enjoy the Fruition of the Second Path and

those who are Noble Disciples, by reason of their previous undertaking, do not take upon themselves the obligations of Fast-day. Such persons, solely by virtue of the Path, lead the holy life and eat but one meal a day. Therefore said the Exalted One, “Great king, Ghaṭīkāra the potter eats but one meal a day, leads the holy life, is virtuous and upright.” Thus, as a matter of course, those who enjoy the Fruition of the Second Path eat but one meal a day and lead the holy life.)

Chattapāṇi also, thus observing Fast-day, approached the Teacher, paid obeisance to him, and sat down and listened to the Law. Now at this time King Pasenadi Kosala also came to pay his respects to the Teacher. When Chattapāṇi saw him coming, he reflected, “Shall I rise to meet him or not?” He came to the following conclusion, “Since I am seated in the presence of the King of Kings, I am not called upon to rise on seeing the king of one of his provinces. Even if he becomes angry, I will not rise. For if I rise on seeing the king, the king will be honored, and not the Teacher. Therefore I will not rise.” Therefore Chattapāṇi did not rise. (Wise men never become angry when they see a man remain seated, instead of rising, in the presence of those of higher rank.)

But when King Pasenadi saw that Chattapāṇi did not rise, his heart was filled with anger. However, he paid obeisance to the Teacher and sat down respectfully on one side. The Teacher, observing that he was angry, said to him, “Great king, this lay disciple Chattapāṇi is a wise man, knows the Law, is versed in the Tipiṭaka, is contented both in prosperity and adversity.” Thus did the Teacher extol the lay disciple’s good qualities. Even as the king listened to the Teacher’s praise of the lay disciple, his heart softened.

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Athekadivasaṃ rājā uparipāsāde ṭhito chattapāṇiṃ upāsakaṃ katabhattakiccaṃ chattamādāya upāhanamāruyha rājaṅgaṇena gacchantaṃ disvā pakkosāpesi. So chattupāhanaṃ apanetvā rājānamupasaṅkamitvā vanditvā ekamantaṃ aṭṭhāsi. Atha naṃ rājā āha – ‘‘bho upāsaka, kinte chattupāhanaṃ apanīta’’nti. ‘‘‘Rājā pakkosatī’ti sutvā apanetvā āgatomhī’’ti. ‘‘Ajja amhākaṃ rājabhāvo tumhehi ñāto bhavissatī’’ti. ‘‘Sadāpi mayaṃ, deva, tumhākaṃ rājabhāvaṃ jānāmā’’ti. ‘‘Yadi evaṃ kasmā purimadivase satthu santike nisinno maṃ disvā na uṭṭhahī’’ti? ‘‘Mahārāja, ahaṃ aggarājassa santike nisinno, padesarājānaṃ disvā uṭṭhahanto satthari agāravaṃ pavedeyyaṃ, tasmā na uṭṭhahi’’nti. ‘‘Hotu, bho, tiṭṭhatetaṃ’’. ‘‘Tumhe kira diṭṭhadhammikasamparāyikānaṃ atthānatthānaṃ kusalā tipiṭakadharā amhākaṃ antepure dhammaṃ vācethā’’ti. ‘‘Na sakkomi, devā’’ti. ‘‘Kiṃ kāraṇā’’ti? ‘‘Rājagehaṃ nāma mahāsāvajjaṃ, duyuttasuyuttakāni garukānettha, devā’’ti. ‘‘Mā evaṃ vadetha, ‘purimadivase maṃ disvā na uṭṭhitomhī’ti mā kukkuccaṃ karothā’’ti. ‘‘Deva, gihīnaṃ vicaraṇaṭṭhānaṃ nāma mahāsāvajjaṃ, ekaṃ pabbajitaṃ pakkosāpetvā dhammaṃ vācāpethā’’ti. Rājā ‘‘sādhu, bho, gacchatha tumhe’’ti taṃ uyyojetvā satthu santikaṃ gantvā satthāraṃ yāci, ‘‘bhante, mallikā ca devī vāsabhakhattiyā ca dhammaṃ pariyāpuṇissāmāti vadanti, pañcahi bhikkhusatehi saddhiṃ nibaddhaṃ mama gehaṃ gantvā tāsaṃ dhammaṃ uddisathā’’ti. ‘‘Buddhānaṃ nibaddhaṃ ekaṭṭhānagamanaṃ nāma natthi, mahārājā’’ti. ‘‘Tena hi, bhante, aññaṃ ekaṃ bhikkhuṃ dethā’’ti. Satthā ānandattherassa bhāramakāsi. Thero nibaddhaṃ gantvā tāsaṃ uddesaṃ uddisati. Tāsu mallikā sakkaccaṃ gahetvā sajjhāyitvā uddesaṃ paṭicchāpesi. Vāsabhakhattiyā pana neva sakkaccaṃ gaṇhāti, na sajjhāyati, na uddesaṃ paṭicchāpetuṃ sakkoti.

Now one day after breakfast, as the king stood on the upper floor of his palace, he saw the lay disciple Chattapāṇi pass through the courtyard of the royal palace with a parasol in his hand and sandals on his feet. Straightway he caused him to be summoned before him. Chattapāṇi laid aside his parasol and sandals, approached the king, paid obeisance to him, and took his stand respectfully on one side. Said the king to Chattapāṇi, “Lay disciple, why did you lay aside your parasol and sandals?” “When I heard the words, ‘The king summons you,’ I laid aside my parasol and sandals before coming into his presence.” “Evidently, then, you have to-day learned that

I am king.” “I always knew that you were king.” “If that be true, then why was it that the other day, when you were seated in the presence of the Teacher and saw me, you did not rise?”

“Great king, had I, seated in the presence of the King of Kings, risen on seeing a king of one of his provinces, I should have shown disrespect for the Teacher. Therefore did I not rise.” “Very well, let bygones be bygones. I am told that you are well versed in matters pertaining to the present world and the world to come; that you are versed in the Tipiṭaka. Recite the Law in our women’s quarters.” “I cannot, your majesty.” “Why not?” “A king’s house is subject to severe censure. Improper and proper alike are grave matters in this case, your majesty.” “Say not so. The other day, when you saw me, you saw fit not to rise. Do not add insult to injury.” “Your majesty, it is a censurable act for householders to go about performing the functions of monks. Send for someone who is a monk and ask him to recite the Law.”

The king dismissed him, saying, “Very well, sir, you may go.” Having so done, he sent a messenger to the Teacher with the following request, “Reverend Sir, my consorts Mallikā and Vāsabhakhattiyā say, ‘We desire to master the Law.’ Therefore pray come to my house regularly with five hundred monks and preach the Law to them.” The Teacher sent the following reply, “Great king, it is impossible for the Buddhas to go regularly to any one place.” “In that case, Reverend Sir, send some monk.” The Teacher assigned the duty to the Elder Ānanda. And the Elder came regularly and recited the Ordinances to those queens. Of the two queens, Mallikā learned thoroughly, rehearsed faithfully, and heeded her teacher’s instruction. But Vāsabhakhattiyā did not learn thoroughly, nor did she rehearse faithfully, nor was she able to master the instruction she received.

4.7.p4

Athekadivasaṃ satthā theraṃ pucchi – ‘‘kimānanda, upāsikā dhammaṃ pariyāpuṇantī’’ti? ‘‘Āma, bhante’’ti. ‘‘Kā sakkaccaṃ gaṇhātī’’ti? ‘‘Mallikā, bhante, sakkaccaṃ gaṇhāti, sakkaccaṃ sajjhāyati, sakkaccaṃ uddesaṃ paṭicchāpetuṃ sakkoti. Tumhākaṃ pana ñātidhītā neva sakkaccaṃ gaṇhāti, na sajjhāyati, na uddesaṃ paṭicchāpetuṃ sakkotī’’ti. Satthā therassa vacanaṃ sutvā, ‘‘ānanda, mayā kathitadhammo nāma sakkaccamasuṇantassa aggaṇhantassa asajjhāyantassa adesentassa vaṇṇasampannaṃ agandhakapupphaṃ viya aphalo hoti, sakkaccaṃ pana savanādīni karontassa mahapphalo hoti mahānisaṃso’’ti vatvā imā dve gāthā abhāsi –

One day the Teacher asked the Elder Ānanda, “Ānanda, are your female lay disciples mastering the Law?” “Yes, Reverend Sir.” “Which one learns thoroughly?” “Reverend Sir, Mallikā learns thoroughly, rehearses faithfully, and can understand thoroughly the instruction she receives. But your kinswoman does not learn thoroughly, nor does she rehearse faithfully, nor can she understand thoroughly the instruction she receives.” When the Teacher heard the Elder’s reply, he said, “Ānanda, as for the Law I have preached, to one who is not faithful in hearing, learning, rehearsing, and preaching it, it is profitless, like a flower that possesses color but lacks perfume. But to one who is faithful in hearing, learning, rehearsing, and preaching the Law, it returns abundant fruit and manifold blessings." So saying, he pronounced the following Stanzas,

4.7.51

‘‘Yathāpi ruciraṃ pupphaṃ, vaṇṇavantaṃ agandhakaṃ;
Evaṃ subhāsitā vācā, aphalā hoti akubbato.

51. Like a beautiful flower that possesses color but lacks perfume,
So well-spoken words are fruitless to him that doeth them not.
52. Like a beautiful flower that possesses both color and perfume,
So well-spoken words are fruitful to him that doeth them.

4.7.52

‘‘Yathāpi ruciraṃ pupphaṃ, vaṇṇavantaṃ sagandhakaṃ;
Evaṃ subhāsitā vācā, saphalā hoti kubbato’’ti.

4.7.52_2

Tattha ruciranti sobhanaṃ. Vaṇṇavantanti vaṇṇasaṇṭhānasampannaṃ, agandhakanti gandhavirahitaṃ pālibhaddakagirikaṇṇikajayasumanādibhedaṃ. Evaṃ subhāsitā vācāti subhāsitā vācā nāma tepiṭakaṃ buddhavacanaṃ. Taṃ vaṇṇasaṇṭhānasampannaṃ agandhakapupphasadisaṃ. Yathā pana agandhakapupphaṃ yo naṃ dhāreti, tassa sarīre gandhaṃ na pharati, evaṃ etampi yo naṃ sakkaccaṃ savanādīhi na samācarati, tassa sakkaccaṃ asamācarantassa yaṃ tattha kattabbaṃ, taṃ akubbato sutagandhañca vācāgandhañca paṭipattigandhañca na āvahati aphalā hoti. Tena vuttaṃ – ‘‘evaṃ subhāsitā vācā, aphalā hoti akubbato’’ti. Sagandhakanti campakanīluppalādibhedaṃ. Evanti yathā taṃ pupphaṃ dhārentassa sarīre gandho pharati, evaṃ tepiṭakabuddhavacanasaṅkhātā subhāsitā vācāpi. Kubbatoti yo sakkaccaṃ savanādīhi tattha kattabbaṃ karoti, sā assa puggalassa saphalā hoti, sutagandhavācāgandhapaṭipattigandhānaṃ āvahanato mahapphalā hoti, mahānisaṃsāti attho.

4.7.52_3

Desanāvasāne bahū sotāpattiphalādīni pattā. Desanā mahājanassa sātthikā jātāti.

At the conclusion of the lesson many attained the Fruit of Conversion and the Fruits of the Second and Third Paths. The lesson was of benefit to the multitude.

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Chattapāṇiupāsakavatthu sattamaṃ.