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- Sutta Nipata II.14
- Dhammika Sutta
- Dhammika
- Translated from the Pali by John D. Ireland
- For free distribution only,
by arrangement with the Buddhist Publication Society
- From The Discourse Collection: Selected Texts from the Sutta Nipata (WH 82),
translated by John D. Ireland (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1983).
Thus have I heard. At one time the Lord was staying near Savatthi
in the Jeta Grove at Anathapindaka's monastery. Now the lay-follower Dhammika with five hundred other lay-followers approached the Lord.
Having drawn near and having saluted the Lord respectfully he sat down at one side.
Sitting there the lay-follower Dhammika addressed the Lord as follows:
"I ask Gotama [1] of extensive wisdom this: How acting
is a disciple virtuous -- both the disciple who has gone from home to the homeless state
and the followers who are householders? For you clearly understand the behavior [2] of the world with the devas and the final release. There is
none equal to you who are skilled in seeing what is profound. You are an illustrious
Awakened One (Buddha). Having investigated all knowledge and being compassionate towards
beings you have announced the Dhamma, a revealer of what is hidden, of comprehensive
vision, stainless, you illuminate all the worlds.
"This Dhamma, subtle and pleasing and taught so clearly by you, Lord, it is this
we all wish to hear. Having been questioned, foremost Awakened One, tell us (the answer).
All these bhikkhus and also the layfollowers who have come to hear the truth, let them
listen to the Dhamma awakened to (anubuddham) by the Stainless One as the devas listen to
the well-spoken words of Vasava." [3]
(The Lord:) "Listen to me, bhikkhus, I will teach you the ascetic practice (dhamma
dhutam), the mode of living suitable for those who have gone forth. Do you all bear it in
mind. One who is intent upon what is good and who is thoughtful should practice it.
"A bhikkhu should not wander about at the wrong time but should walk the village
for food at the right time, as one who goes about at the wrong time is (liable to be)
obsessed by attachment, therefore Awakened Ones do not walk (for alms) at the wrong time.
[4] Sights, sounds, tastes, scents and bodily contacts
overwhelm (the minds of) beings. Being rid of desire for these sense objects, at the right
time, one may enter (the village) for the morning meal. Having duly obtained food, going
back alone and sitting down in a secluded place, being inwardly thoughtful and not letting
the mind go out to external objects, a bhikkhu should develop self-control.
"If he should speak with a lay-disciple, with someone else or with another
bhikkhu, he should speak on the subtle Dhamma, not slandering others nor gossiping. Some
set themselves up as disputants in opposition to others; those of little wisdom we do not
praise; attachments bind them and they are carried away by their emotions. [5]
"Having heard the Dhamma taught by the Sugata [6] and
considered it, a disciple of Him of excellent wisdom should wisely make use of food, a
dwelling, a bed, a seat and water for washing the robe. But a bhikkhu should not be soiled
by (clinging to) these things, as a lotus is not wetted by a drop of water.
"Now I will tell you the layman's duty. Following it a
lay-disciple would be virtuous; for it is not possible for one occupied with the household
life to realize the complete bhikkhu practice (dhamma).
"He should not kill a living being, nor cause it to be killed, nor should he
incite another to kill. Do not injure any being, either strong or weak, in the world.
"A disciple should avoid taking anything from anywhere knowing it (to belong to
another). He should not steal nor incite another to steal. He should completely avoid
theft.
"A wise man should avoid unchastity as (he would avoid falling into) a pit of
glowing charcoal. If unable to lead a celibate life, he should not go to another's wife.
"Having entered a royal court or a company of people he should not speak lies. He
should not speak lies (himself) nor incite others to do so. He should completely avoid
falsehood.
"A layman who has chosen to practice this Dhamma should not indulge in the
drinking of intoxicants. He should not drink them nor encourage others to do so; realizing
that it leads to madness. Through intoxication foolish people perform evil deeds and cause
other heedless people to do likewise. He should avoid intoxication, this occasion for
demerit, which stupefies the mind, and is the pleasure of foolish people.
Do not kill a living being;
do not take what is not given;
do not speak a lie;
do not drink intoxicants;
abstain from sexual intercourse;
do not eat food at night, at the wrong time;
do not wear flower-garlands nor use perfumes;
use the ground as a bed or sleep on a mat.
"This is called the eight-factored observance made known by the known by the
Awakened One who has reached the end of suffering.
"With a gladdened mind observe the observance day (uposatha), complete with its
eight factors, on the fourteenth, fifteenth and eighth days of the (lunar) fortnight and
also the special holiday of the half month. In the morning, with a pure heart and a joyful
mind, a wise man, after observing the uposatha, should distribute suitable food and drink
to the community of bhikkhus. He should support his mother and father as his duty and
engage in lawful trading. A layman who carries this out diligently goes to the devas
called "Self-radiant." [7]
-- vv. 376-378, 383-404
Notes
1. Gotama is the Buddha's clan or family name. [Go
back]
2. According to the commentary, the Pali term "gati"
translated here as "behavior" means either "trend of character" or
"the destination of beings after death. [Go back]
3. "Vasava" is one of the several names for Sakka,
ruler of the devas or gods. This is a poetical way of saying they should listen very
attentively. [Go back]
4. The right time for going into the village to collect
almsfood is in the forenoon. If a bhikkhu went about indiscriminately, "at the wrong
time," he might see things or have experiences that would endanger his life of purity
and cause him to revert to the lay life. [Go back]
5. Literally, "they send the mind far." [Go
back]
6. Sugata, literally "well-gone," sometimes
translated as the "Happy One," is an epithet of the Buddha. [Go
back]
7. A class of heavenly beings (deva). A layman who practices
this will, after death, be reborn as one of them. [Go back]