Dhammapada Verse 381
Vakkalitthera
Vatthu
Pamojjabahulo bhikkhu
pasanno buddhasasane
adhigacche padam santam
sankharupasamam sukham.
Verse 381: The bhikkhu who frequently feels
joy and is devoted to the Teaching of the Buddha will realize Nibbana — the
Tranquil, the Unconditioned, the Blissful.
The Story of Thera Vakkali
While residing at the Veluvana
monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (381) of this book, with reference to Thera
Vakkali.
Vakkali was a brahmin who lived
in Savatthi. One day when he saw the Buddha going on an alms-round in the city,
he was very much impressed by the noble appearance of the Buddha. At the same
time, he felt much affection and great reverence for the Buddha and asked
permission to join the Order just to be near him. As a bhikkhu, Vakkali always
kept close to the Buddha; he did not care much about other duties of a bhikkhu
and did not at all practise concentration meditation. So, the Buddha said to
him, "Vakkali, it will be of no use to you by always keeping close to
me, looking at my face. You should practise concentration meditation; for,
indeed, only the one who sees the Dhamma sees me. One who does not see the
Dhamma does not see me. So, you must leave my presence." When he heard
those words Vakkali felt very depressed. He left the Buddha as ordered, and
climbed the Gijjhakuta hill with the intention of committing suicide by jumping
down from the peak.
The Buddha, knowing full well the
extent of Vakkali's grief and despondency, reflected that because of his great
sorrow and despondency Vakkali might miss the chance of attaining the Maggas.
Accordingly, he sent forth his radiance to Vakkali, made him feel his presence
and appeared as if in person to Vakkali. With the Buddha near him, Vakkali soon
forgot all his sorrow; he became cheerful and very much heartened.
To him the Buddha spoke in verse
as follows:
Verse 381: The bhikkhu
who frequently feels joy and is devoted to the Teaching of the Buddha
will realize Nibbana — the Tranquil, the Unconditioned, the
Blissful. |
At the end of the discourse Vakkali attained arahatship.