Dhammapada Verse 364
Dhammaramatthera Vatthu
Dhammaramo dhammarato
dhammam anuvicintayam
dhammam anussaram bhikkhu
saddhamma1 na parihayati.
Verse 364: The bhikkhu who abides in the
Dhamma, who delights in the Dhamma, who meditates on the Dhamma, and is ever
mindful of the Dhamma, does not fall away from the Dhamma of the virtuous1.
1. saddhamma: the Dhamma of the virtuous; i.e.,
the thirty-seven Factors of Enlightenment (Bodhipakkhiya Dhamma) and the nine
Transcendentals (Lokuttara Dhamma).
The Story of Thera Dhammarama
While residing at the Jetavana
monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (364) of this book, with reference to Thera
Dhammarama.
When it was made known to the
disciples that the Buddha would realize Parinibbana in four months' time, most
of the puthujjana bhikkhus (i.e., those who had not attained any of the Maggas)
felt extremely depressed and were at a loss and did not know what to do. They
just stayed close to the Buddha, hardly ever leaving his presence. However,
there was a bhikkhu by the name of Dhammarama who kept to himself and did not go
near the Buddha. His intention was to strive most ardently to attain arahatship
before the passing away of the Buddha. So he strove hard in Insight Meditation
Practice. Other bhikkhus, not understanding his attitude and his noble ambition,
misunderstood his behaviour.
Those bhikkhus took Dhammarama to
the Buddha and said to the Enlightened One, "Venerable Sir! This bhikkhu
does not seem to have any affection or regard or reverence for you; he has been
staying by himself while all the time other bhikkhus are staying close to Your
Venerable presence." When other bhikkhus had said everything they wanted to
say, Dhammarama respectfully explained to the Buddha why he had not come to see
the Buddha and also reported that he had been striving his utmost in Insight
Meditation Practice.
The Buddha was satisfied and was
very pleased with the explanation and conduct of Dhammarama and he said, "My
son, Dhammarama, you have done very well. A bhikkhu who loves and respects me
should act like you. Those who made offerings of flowers, scents and incense to
me are not really paying me homage. Only those who practise the Dhamma are the
ones who truly pay homage to me."
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as
follows:
Verse 364: The bhikkhu
who abides in the Dhamma, who delights in the Dhamma, who meditates on
the Dhamma, and is ever mindful of the Dhamma, does not fall away from
the Dhamma of the virtuous. |
At the end of the discourse Thera Dhammarama attained arahatship.