Violence : Verse 129

Dhammapada Verse 129

The Story of a Group of Six Bhikkhus

Once seventeen bhikkhus were cleaning up a building in the Jetavana monastery-complex with the intention of occupying it, when another group comprising six bhikkhus arrived on the scene. The group of six said to the first group, "We are senior to you, so you had better give way to us; we will take this place." The group of seventeen did not give in, so the chabbaggis beat up the other group who cried out in pain. The Buddha learning about this reprimanded them and laid down the disciplinary rule forbidding bhikkhus to beat others.

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Sabbe tasanti dandassa
sabbe bhayanti maccuno
attanam upamam katva
na haneyya na ghataye.

Verse 129: All are afraid of the stick, all fear death. Putting oneself in another's place, one should not beat or kill others.

Verse 130

Dhammapada Verse 130

The Story of a Group of Six Bhikkhus

After coming to blows the first time, the same two groups of bhikkhus quarreled again over the same building. As the rule prohibiting beating others had already been laid down, the group of six threatened the other group with upraised hands. The group of seventeen, who were junior to the chabbaggis, cried out in fright. The Buddha hearing about this laid down the disciplinary rule forbidding the raising of hands in threat.

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Sabbe tasanti dandassa
sabbesam jivitam piyam
attanam upamam katva
na haneyya na ghataye.

Verse 130: All are afraid of the stick, all hold their lives dear. Putting oneself in another's place, one should not beat or kill others.

Verses 231, 232, 233 and 234

Dhammapada Verses 231, 232, 233 and 234

The Story of a Group of Six Bhikkhus

Six bhikkhus wearing wooden sandals, and each holding a staff with both hands, were walking to and fro on a big stone slab, making much noise. The Buddha hearing the noises asked Thera Ananda what was going on, and Thera Ananda told him about the six bhikkhus. The Buddha then prohibited the bhikkhus from wearing wooden sandals. He further exhorted the bhikkhus to restrain themselves both in words and deeds.

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Kayappakopam rakkheyya
kayena sambyuto siya
kayaduccaritam hitva
kayena sucaritam care.

Verse 231: Guard against evil deeds, control your body. Giving up evil deeds, cultivate good deeds.

Vacipakopam rakkheyya
vacaya samvuto siya
vaciduccaritam hitva
vacaya sucaritam care.

Verse 232: Guard against evil speech, control your speech. Giving up evil speech, cultivate good speech.

Manopakopam rakkheyya
manasa samvuto siya
manoduccaritam hitva
manasa sucaritam care.

Verse 233: Guard against evil thoughts, control your mind. Giving up evil thoughts, cultivate good thoughts.

Kayena samvuta dhira
atho vacaya sambuta
manasa samvuta dhira
te ye suparisamvuta.

Verse 234: The wise are controlled in deed, they are controlled in speech, they are controlled in thought. Indeed, they are perfectly self-controlled.

Verse 258

Dhammapada Verse 258

The Story of a Group of Six Bhikkhus

Once, there was a group of six bhikkhus who made trouble at the place of eating either in the monastery or in the village. One day, while some samaneras were, having their alms-food, the group of six bhikkhus came in and said boastfully to the samaneras, "Look! We only are the wise." Then they started throwing things about, leaving the place of eating in disorder. When the Buddha was told about this, he said, "Bhikkhus! I do not say that one who talks much, abuses and bullies others is a wise man. Only he who is free from hatred, and harms no one is a wise man."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Na tena pandito hoti
yavata bahu bhasati
khemi averi abhayo
"pandito" ti pavuccati.

Verse 258: He is not a wise man just because he talks much; only he who is peaceful, free from enmity, and does no harm to others, is to be called 'a wise man'.