Dhammapada Verse 363
Kokalika Vatthu
Yo mukhasamyato bhikkhu
mantabhani anuddhato
attham dhammanca dipeti
madhuram tassa bhasitam.
Verse 363: The bhikkhu who controls his mouth
(speech) who speaks wisely with his mind composed, who explains the meaning and
the text of the Dhamma, — sweet are the words of that bhikkhu.
The Story of Bhikkhu Kokalika
While residing at the Jetavana
monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (363) of this book, with reference to
Bhikkhu Kokalika.
Bhikkhu Kokalika had abused the
two Chief Disciples, the Venerable Sariputta and the Venerable Maha Moggallana.
For this evil deed Kokalika was swallowed up by the earth and had to suffer in Paduma
Niraya. Learning about his fate, the bhikkhus remarked that Kokalika had to
suffer grievously because he did not control his tongue. To those bhikkhus, the
Buddha said, "Bhikkhus! A bhikkhu must have control over his tongue; his
conduct must be good; his mind must be calm, subdued and not flitting about as
it pleases."
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as
follows:
Verse 363: The bhikkhu
who controls his mouth (speech) who speaks wisely with his mind
composed, who explains the meaning and the text of the Dhamma, —
sweet are the words of that bhikkhu. |