Dhammapada Verse 280
Padhanakammikatissatthera Vatthu
Utthana kalamhi anutthahano
yuva bali Alasiyam upeto
samsanna sankappamano kusito
pannaya maggam alaso na vindati.
Verse 280: The idler who does not strive when he should be striving, who
though young and strong is given to idleness, whose thoughts are weak and
wandering, will not attain Magga Insight which can only be perceived by wisdom.
The Story of Thera Tissa the Idle One
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (280) of
this book, with reference to Tissa, a lazy bhikkhu.
Once, five hundred young men were admitted into the Order by the Buddha in
Savatthi. After receiving a subject of meditation from the Buddha, all the new
bhikkhus except one went to the forest to practise meditation. They practised
zealously and vigilantly so that in due course all of them attained arahatship.
When they returned to the monastery to pay homage to him, the Buddha was very
pleased and satisfied with their achievement. Bhikkhu Tissa who stayed behind
did not try hard and therefore achieved nothing.
When Tissa found that the relationship between the Buddha and those bhikkhus
was very cordial and intimate, he felt rather neglected, and regretted that he
had wasted all that time. So he resolved to practise meditation throughout the
night. As he was walking in meditation on that night, he slipped and broke a
thigh bone. Other bhikkhus hearing his cry went to help him. On hearing about
the above incident the Buddha said, "Bhikkhus, one who does not strive
when he should be striving but idle away his time will not attain mental
absorption (jhana) and Magga Insight."
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
| Verse 280: The idler who does not strive when he
should be striving, who though young and strong is given to idleness,
whose thoughts are weak and wandering, will not attain Magga Insight
which can only be perceived by wisdom.
|