Dhammapada Verse 91
Mahakassapatthera Vatthu
Uyyunjanti satimanto
na nikete ramanti te
hamsava pallalam hitva
okamokam jahanti te.
Verse 91: The mindful strive diligently (in the Tranquillity and Insight
Development Practice); they take no delight in the home (i.e., in the life of
sensual pleasures); like swans (hamsa) that forsake the muddy pool, they
abandon all home life (i.e., all cravings).
The Story of Thera Mahakassapa
While residing at the Veluvana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (91) of
this book, with reference to Thera Mahakassapa.
The Buddha once spent the vassa at Rajagaha with a number of bhikkhus. About
two weeks before the end of the vassa, the Buddha informed the bhikkhus that
they would soon be leaving Rajagaha and told them to prepare for departure. Some
bhikkhus stitched and dyed new robes, some washed the old robes. When some
bhikkhus saw Mahakassapa washing his robes, they speculated, "There are so
many people inside and outside Rajagaha who love and respect Thera Mahakassapa
and are constantly looking to all his needs; is it possible that the Thera would
leave his lay devotees here and follow the Buddha elsewhere?"
At the end of fifteen days, on the eve of his departure, the Buddha thought
that there might be some occasions like alms-food offering ceremonies,
initiation of novices, funerals, etc., and so it would not be proper for all the
bhikkhus to leave. So he decided that some bhikkhus should remain at the
Veluvana monastery and that the most suitable person would be Thera Mahakassapa.
Consequently, Thera Mahakassapa remained in Rajagaha with some junior bhikkhus.
Then the other bhikkhus said scornfully, "Mahakassapa has not
accompanied the Buddha, just as we have predicted!" The Buddha heard their
remark and said to them, "Bhikkhus! Do you wish to say that my son
Kassapa is attached to his lay disciples of Rajagaha and to the things they
offer him? You are very much mistaken. My son Kassapa remains here under my
instruction; he is not attached to anything here."
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
Verse 91: The mindful strive diligently (in the
Tranquillity and Insight Development Practice); they take no delight
in the home (i.e., in the life of sensual pleasures); like swans (hamsa)
that forsake the muddy pool, they abandon all home life (i.e., all
cravings).
|