Dhammapada Verse 50
Paveyya ajivaka Vatthu
Na paresam vilomani
na paresam katakatam
attanova avekkheyya
katani akatani ca.
Verse 50: One should not consider the faults of others, nor their doing or
not doing good or bad deeds. One should consider only whether one has done or
not done good or bad deeds.
The Story of the Ascetic Paveyya
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (50) of
this book, with reference to the ascetic Paveyya and a rich lady.
A rich lady of Savatthi had adopted Paveyya, an ascetic, as a son and was
looking after his needs. When she heard her neighbours talking in praise of the
Buddha, she wished very much to invite him to her house to offer him alms-food.
So, the Buddha was invited and choice food was offered. As the Buddha was
expressing appreciation (anumodana), Paveyya, who was in the next room,
fumed with rage. He blamed and cursed the lady for venerating the Buddha. The
lady heard him cursing and shouting and felt so ashamed that she could not
concentrate on what the Buddha was saying. The Buddha told her not to be
concerned about those curses and threats, but to concentrate only on her own
good and bad deeds.
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
| Verse 50: One should not consider the faults of others, nor their
doing or not doing good or bad deeds. One should consider only whether
one has done or not done good or bad deeds. |
At the end of the discourse the rich lady attained Sotapatti Fruition.