Dhammapada Verse 258
Chabbaggiya Vatthu
Na tena pandito hoti
yavata bahu bhasati
khemi averi abhayo
"pandito" ti pavuccati.
Verse 258: He is not a wise man just because he talks much; only he who is
peaceful, free from enmity, and does no harm to others, is to be called 'a wise
man'.
The Story of a Group of Six Bhikkhus
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (258) of
this book, with reference to a group of six bhikkhus.
Once, there was a group of six bhikkhus who made trouble at the place of
eating either in the monastery or in the village. One day, while some samaneras
were, having their alms-food, the group of six bhikkhus came in and said
boastfully to the samaneras, "Look! We only are the wise." Then they
started throwing things about, leaving the place of eating in disorder. When the
Buddha was told about this, he said, "Bhikkhus! I do not say that one
who talks much, abuses and bullies others is a wise man. Only he who is free
from hatred, and harms no one is a wise man."
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
| Verse 258: He is not a wise man just because he talks
much; only he who is peaceful, free from enmity, and does no harm to
others, is to be called 'a wise man'.
|