Dear Dhamma Friends...This is sharing of a post Dhammapada Verses ..you may share this as well ..and be merited. Following ..The Dhammapada: Verses and Stories were Translated by Daw Mya Tin, M.A. & Edited by Editorial Committee, Burma Tipitaka Association Rangoon, Burma, 1986. Dhammapada Verses 206, 207 and 208 Sakka Vatthu Sahu dassanamariyanam sannivaso sada sukho adassanena balanam niccameva sukhi siya. Balasangatacari hi dighamaddhana socati dukkho balehi samvaso amitteneva sabbada dhiro ca sukhasamvaso natinam va samagamo. Tasma hi dhiranca pannanca bahussutanca dhorayhasilam vatavantamariyam tam tadisam sappurisam sumedham bhajetha nakkhattapathamva candima. Verse 206: It is good to see the Noble Ones (ariyas); to live with them is always a pleasure; not seeing fools is also always a pleasure. Verse 207: He who walks in the company of fools has to grieve for a long time. Association with fools is ever painful, as living with an enemy; association with the wise is a pleasure, as living with relatives. Verse 208: Therefore one should follow a resolute, intelligent, learned, persevering and dutiful ariya; follow such a virtuous and wise man, as the moon follows the path of the stars. Verse 206. Pleasant Meetings So fair’s the sight of Noble Ones, ever good their company, by relating not to fools ever happy one may be. Explanation: Seeing nobles ones is good. Living with them is always conducive to happiness. Associating with the ignorant is like keeping company with enemies. Verse 207. Happy Company Who moves among fool’s company must truly grieve for long, for ill the company of fools as ever that of foes, but weal’s a wise one’s company as meeting of one’s folk. Explanation: A person who keeps company with the ignorant will grieve over a long period of time. Association with the ignorant is like keeping company with enemies - it always leads to grief. Keeping company with the wise is like a reunion with one’s kinfolk - it always leads to happiness. Verse 208. The Good And The Wise Thus go with the steadfast, wise, well-versed, firm of virtue, practice-pure, Ennobled ‘Such’, who’s sound, sincere, as moon in wake of the Milky Way. Explanation: The moon keeps to the path of the stars. In exactly the same way, one must seek out the company of such noble persons who are non-fluctuating, endowed with deep wisdom, greatly learned, capable of sustained effort, dutiful, noble, and are exalted human beings. The Story of Sakka While residing at the village of Veluva, the Buddha uttered Verses (206), (207) and (208) of this book, with reference to Sakka, king of the devas. About ten months before the Buddha realized parinibbana, the Buddha was spending the vassa at Veluva village near Vesali. While he was staying there, he suffered from dysentery. When Sakka learned that the Buddha was ailing, he came to Veluva village so that he could personally nurse the Buddha during his sickness. The Buddha told him not to worry about his health as there were many bhikkhus near him; but Sakka did not listen to him and kept on nursing the Buddha until he recovered. The bhikkhus were surprised and awe-struck to find Sakka himself attending on the Buddha. When the Buddha heard their remarks he said, Bhikkhus! There is nothing surprising about Sakkas love and devotion to me. Once, when the former Sakka was growing old and was about to pass away, he came to see me. Then, I expounded the Dhamma to him. While listening to the Dhamma, he attained Sotapatti Fruition; then he passed away and was reborn as the present Sakka. All these happened to him simply because he listened to the Dhamma expounded by me. Indeed, bhikkhus, it is good to see the Noble Ones (ariyas); it is a pleasure to live with them; to live with fools is, indeed, painful. Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows: Verse 206: It is good to see the Noble Ones (ariyas); to live with them is always a pleasure; not seeing fools is also always a pleasure. Verse 207: He who walks in the company of fools has to grieve for a long time. Association with fools is ever painful, as living with an enemy; association with the wise is a pleasure, as living with relatives. Verse 208: Therefore one should follow a resolute, intelligent, learned, persevering and dutiful ariya; follow such a virtuous and wise man, as the moon follows the path of the stars. End of Chapter Fifteen: Happiness (Sukhavagga)
Posted on: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 06:09:56 +0000