Dhammapada 4.7.p2

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.