Verses 260 and 261

Dhammapada Verses 260 and 261

The Story of Thera Bhaddiya

One day, thirty bhikkhus came to pay obeisance to the Buddha. The Buddha knew that time was ripe for those thirty bhikkhus to attain arahatship. So he asked them whether they had seen a thera as they came into the room. They answered that they did not see a thera but they saw only a young samanera as they came in. Whereupon, the Buddha said to them, "Bhikkhus! That person is not a samanera, he is a senior bhikkhu although he is small-built and very unassuming. I do say that one is not a thera just because he is old and looks like a thera; only he who comprehends the Four Noble Truths and does not harm others is to be called a thera."

Then the Buddha spoke in verses as follows:

Na tena thero so hoti
yenassa palitam siro
paripakko vayo tassa
"moghajinno" ti vuccati.

Verse 260: He is not a thera just because his head is grey; he who is ripe only in years is called "one grown old in vain".

Yamhi saccanca dhammo ca
ahimsa samyamo damo
sa ve vantamalo¹ dhiro
"thero²" iti pavuccati.

Verse 261: Only a wise man who comprehends the Four Noble Truths and the Dhamma, who is harmless and virtuous, who restrains his senses and has rid himself of moral defilements is indeed called a thera.

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1. vantamalo: lit., has vomited impurities.
2. thero: an Elder, i.e., a senior member of the Buddhist Order; but often applied to bhikkhus in general.