Chapter XX: The Path (Maggavagga)
-ooOoo-
Verses 273 to 276
While residing at the
Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (273) to (276) of this book, with
reference to five hundred bhikkhus.
Five hundred bhikkhus,
after accompanying the Buddha to a village, returned to the Jetavana monastery.
In the evening they talked about the trip, especially the nature of the land,
whether it was level or hilly, clayey or stony, etc. The Buddha came to them in
the midst of their conversation and said to them, "Bhikkhus, the path you are talking about
is external to you; a bhikkhu should only be concerned with the path of the
Noble Ones (ariyas) and strive to do what should be done for the attainment of
the Ariya Path (Magga) that leads to the realization of the Perfect Peace
(Nibbana)."
Then the Buddha spoke in
verse as follows:
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Verse 273. Of paths, the Path of
Eight Constituents is the noblest; of truths, the Four Noble Truths are the
noblest; of the dhammas, the absence of craving (i.e., Nibbana) is the
noblest; of the two-legged beings, the All-Seeing Buddha is the noblest.
Verse 274. This is the only Path,
and there is none other for the purity of vision. Follow this Path; it will
bewilder Mara.
Verse 275. Following this Path,
you will make an end of dukkha. Having myself known the Path which can lead
to the removal of the thorns of moral defilements, I have shown you the Path.
Verse 276. You yourselves should
make the effort; the Tathagatas (Buddhas) only can show the way. Those who
practise the Tranquillity and Insight Meditation are freed from the bond of
Mara.
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At the end of the
discourse those five hundred bhikkhus attained arahatship.
Verse 282
While residing at the
Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (282) of this book, with reference
to Thera Potthila.
Potthila was a senior
bhikkhu who knew the Pitaka well and was actually teaching the Dhamma to five
hundred bhikkhus. Because he knew the Pitaka, he was also very conceited. The
Buddha knew his weakness and wanted him to mend his ways and put him on the
right path. So, whenever Potthila came to pay obeisance, the Buddha would
address him as 'Useless Potthila'. When Potthila heard these remarks, he
pondered over those words of the Buddha and came to realize that the Buddha had
made those unkind remarks because he, Potthila, had not made any serious effort
to practise meditation and had not achieved any of the Maggas or even any level
of mental absorption (jhana).
Thus, without telling
anyone Thera Potthila left for a monastery at a place twenty yojanas away from
the Jetavana monastery. At that monastery there were thirty bhikkhus. First, he
went to the most senior bhikkhu and humbly requested him to be his mentor; but the
thera, wishing to humble him, asked him to go to the next senior bhikkhu, who
in his turn sent him on to the next. In this way, he was sent from one to the
other until he came to a seven year old arahat samanera. The young samanera
accepted him as a pupil only after ascertaining that Potthila would obediently
follow his instructions. As instructed by the samanera, Thera Potthila kept his
mind firmly fixed on the true nature of the body; he was very ardent and
vigilant in his meditation.
The Buddha saw Potthila
in his vision and through supernormal power made Potthila feel his presence and
encouraged him to be steadfast and ardent.
Then the Buddha spoke in
verse as follows:
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Verse 282. Indeed, wisdom is born
of meditation; without meditation wisdom is lost. Knowing this twofold path
of gain and loss of wisdom, one should conduct oneself so that wisdom may
increase.
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At
the end of the discourse Potthila attained arahatship.
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