Dhammapada Verses 345 and 346
Bandhanagara Vatthu
Na tam dalham bandhanamahu dhira
yadayasam darujapabbajanca
sarattaratta manikundalesu
puttesu daresu ca ya apekkha.
Etam dalham bandhanamahu dhira
oharinam sithilam duppamuncam
etampi chetvana paribbajanti
anapekkhino kamasukham pahaya.
Verses 345 & 346: The wise do not say that bonds made of iron, of wood,
and of hemp are strong bonds; they say that only passionate attachment to and
care for gems and jewelry, children and wives are strong bonds. These drag one
down (to lower planes of existence) and although they seem yielding are
difficult to unfasten. The wise, cutting off this bond (of craving) and
resolutely giving up sensual pleasures, renounce the world.
The Story on Imprisonment
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (345) and
(346) of this book, with reference to some thieves who were kept in chains.
One day, thirty bhikkhus came into Savatthi for alms-food. While they were on
their alms-round, they saw some prisoners being brought out with their hands and
legs in chains. Back at the monastery, after relating what they had seen in the
morning, they asked the Buddha whether there were any other bonds stronger than
these. To them the Buddha answered, "Bhikkhus! These bonds are nothing
compared to those of craving for food and clothing, for riches and for family.
Craving is a thousand times, a hundred thousand times stronger than those
chains, hand-cuffs and cages. That is the reason why the wise cut off craving
and renounce the world and enter the Order of the bhikkhus."
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
| Verses 345 & 346: The wise do not say that bonds
made of iron, of wood, and of hemp are strong bonds; they say that
only passionate attachment to and care for gems and jewelry, children
and wives are strong bonds. These drag one down (to lower planes of
existence) and although they seem yielding are difficult to unfasten.
The wise, cutting off this bond (of craving) and resolutely giving up
sensual pleasures, renounce the world.
|