Dhammapada Verse 194
Sambahulabhikkhu Vatthu
Sukho buddhanamuppado
sukha saddhammadesana
sukha sanghassa samaggi
samagganam tapo sukho.
Verse 194: Happy is the arising of a Buddha; happy is the exposition of the
Ariya Dhamma; happy is the harmony amongst the Samgha; happy is the practice of
those in harmony.
The Story of Many Bhikkhus
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (194) of
this book, with reference to many bhikkhus.
Once, five hundred bhikkhus were discussing the question "What
constitutes happiness?" These bhikkhus realized that happiness meant
different things to different people. Thus, they said, "To some people to
have the riches and glory like that of a king's is happiness, to some people
sensual pleasure is happiness, but to others to have good rice cooked with meat
is happiness." While they were talking, the Buddha came in. After learning
the subject of their talk, the Buddha said, "Bhikkhus, all the pleasures
you have mentioned do not get you out of the round of rebirths. In this world,
these constitute happiness: the arising of a Buddha, the opportunity to hear the
Teaching of the Sublime Truth, and the harmony amongst the bhikkhus,"
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
| Verse 194: Happy is the arising of a Buddha; happy is the exposition
of the Ariya Dhamma; happy is the harmony amongst the Samgha; happy is
the practice of those in harmony. |
At the end of the discourse the five hundred bhikkhus attained arahatship.