Verses 311, 312 and 313

Dhammapada Verses 311, 312 and 313

The Story of the Obstinate Bhikkhu

Once, there was a bhikkhu who was feeling remorse for having unwittingly cut some grass. He confided about this to another bhikkhu. The latter was reckless and stubborn by nature, and he did not think much about committing small misdeeds. So he replied to the first bhikkhu, "Cutting grass is a very minor offence; if you just confide and confess to another bhikkhu you are automatically exonerated. There is nothing to worry about." So saying, he proceeded to uproot some grass with both hands to show that he thought very little of such trivial offences. When the Buddha was told about this, he reprimanded the reckless, stubborn bhikkhu.

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Kuso yatha duggahito
hatthameva' nukantati
samannam dupparamattham
nirayayu' pakadhati.

Verse 311: Just as kusa grass if badly held cuts that very hand, so also, the ill-led life of a bhikkhu drags that bhikkhu down to niraya.

Yam kinci sithilam kammam
samkilitthanca yam vatam
sankassaram brahmacariyam
na tam hoti mahapphalam.

Verse 312: An act perfunctorily performed, or a practice that is depraved, or a questionable conduct of a bhikkhu is not of much benefit.

Kayira ce kayirathenam
dalhamenam parakkame
sithilo hi paribbajo
bhiyyo akirate rajam.

Verse 313: If there is anything to be done, do it well; do it firmly and energetically; for the slack life of a bhikkhu scatters much dust (of moral defilements).