Dhammapada Verses 26 and 27
Balanakkhattasanghuttha Vatthu
Pamadamanuyuñjanti
bala dummedhino jana1
appamadañca medhavi
dhanam setthamva rakkhati.
Ma pamadamanuyuñjetha
ma kamaratisanthavam
appamatto hi jhayanto
pappoti vipulam sukham.
Verse 26: The foolish and the ignorant give themselves over to negligence;
whereas the wise treasure mindfulness as a precious jewel.
Verse 27: Therefore, one should not be negligent, nor be addicted to sensual
pleasures; for he who is established in mindfulness, through cultivation of
Tranquillity and Insight Development Practice, experiences supreme happiness
(i.e., realizes Nibbana).
1. bala dummedhino jana: the foolish and the ignorant. The foolish
mentioned in the story were the hooligans who were given up to wild revelry and
disorder during the Balanakkhatta festival. They were not mindful of others or
of the consequence for themselves in this world and the next.
The Story of Balanakkhatta Festival
White residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (26) and
(27) of this book, in connection with the Balanakkhatta festival.
At one time, the Balanakkhatta festival was being celebrated in Savatthi.
During the festival, many foolish young men smearing themselves with ashes and
cow-dung roamed about the city shouting and making themselves a nuisance to the
public. They would also stop at the doors of others and leave only when given
some money.
At that time there were a great many lay disciples of the Buddha, living in
Savatthi. On account of these foolish young hooligans, they sent word to the
Buddha, requesting him to keep to the monastery and not to enter the city for
seven days. They sent alms-food to the monastery and they themselves kept to
their own houses. On the eighth day, when the festival was over, the Buddha and
his disciples were invited into the city for alms-food and other offerings. On
being told about the vulgar and shameful behaviour of the foolish young men
during the festival, the Buddha commented that it was in the nature of the
foolish and the ignorant to behave shamelessly.
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
Verse 26: The foolish and the ignorant give
themselves over to negligence; whereas the wise treasure mindfulness
as a precious jewel. |
|
Verse 27: Therefore, one should not be negligent,
nor be addicted to sensual pleasures; for he who is established in
mindfulness, through cultivation of Tranquillity and Insight
Development Practice, experiences supreme happiness (i.e., realizes
Nibbana). |