Verses 271 and 272

Dhammapada Verses 271 and 272

The Story of Some Bhikkhus

Once, there were some bhikkhus who were endowed with virtue; some of them had strictly observed the austere practices (dhutanga), some had wide knowledge of' the Dhamma, some had achieved mental absorption (jhana), some had achieved Anagami Phala, etc. All of them thought that since they had achieved that much, it would be quite easy for them to attain Arahatta Phala. With this thought they went to the Buddha.

The Buddha asked them, "Bhikkhus, have you attained Arahatta Phala?" Then they replied that they were in such a condition that it would not be difficult for them to attain Arahatta Phala at any time. To them the Buddha said, "Bhikkhus! Just because you are endowed with morality (sila), just because you have attained Anagami Phala, you should not be complacent and think that there is just a little more to be done; unless you have eradicated all moral intoxicants (asavas), you must not think that you have realized perfect bliss of Arahatta Fruition."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Na silabbatamattena
bahusaccena va pana
atha va samadhilabhena
vivittasayanena va.

Phusami nekkhammasukham¹
aputhujjanasevitam
bhikkhu vissasamapadi
appatto asavakkhayam.

Verses 271 & 272: Not only by mere moral practice, nor by much learning, nor by acquiring concentration, nor by dwelling in seclusion, nor by assuring oneself, "I enjoy the bliss of Anagami Fruition that is not enjoyed by common worldlings (puthujjanas)," should the bhikkhu, rest content without attaining the extinction of moral intoxicants (asavas) [i.e., without attaining arahatship].

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1. nekkhammasukham: In this context, Anagamisukham. i.e., Anagami Fruition, the fruition that follows the attainment ot Anagami Magga.