Verses 183, 184 and 185

Dhammapada Verses 183, 184 and 185

The Story of the Question Raised by Thera Ananda

On one occasion, Thera Ananda asked the Buddha whether the Fundamental Instructions to bhikkhus given by the preceding Buddhas were the same as those of the Buddha himself. To him the Buddha replied that the instructions given by all the Buddhas are as given in the following verses:

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Sabbapapassa akaranam
ku salassa upasampada
sacittapariyodapanam
etam buddhana sasanam.

Verse 183: Not to do evil, to cultivate merit, to purify one's mind - this is the Teaching of the Buddhas.

Khanti paramam tapo titikkha
nibbanam paramam vadanti buddha
na hi pabbajito parupaghati
na samano hoti param vihethayanto.

Verse 184: The best moral practice is patience and forbearance; "Nibbana is Supreme", said the Buddhas. A bhikkhu does not harm others; one who harms others is not a bhikkhu.

Anupavado anupaghato
patimokkhe ca samvaro
mattannuta ca bhattasmim
pantanca sayanasanam
adhicitte ca ayogo
etam buddhana sasanam.

Verse 185: Not to revile, not to do any harm, to practise restraint according to the Fundamental Instructions for the bhikkhus, to be moderate in taking food, to dwell in a secluded place, to devote oneself to higher concentration - this is the Teaching of the Buddhas.

Verse 193

Dhammapada Verse 193

The Story of the Question Raised by Thera Ananda

One day, Thera Ananda pondered thus: "Our Teacher has told us that thoroughbreds of elephants are born only among Chaddanta and Uposatha breeds, that thoroughbreds of horses are born only among the Sindh breed, that thoroughbreds of cattle are born only among the Usabha breed. Thus, he had talked to us only about the thoroughbreds of elephants, horses, and cattle, but not of the noblest of men (purisajanno)."

After reflecting thus, Thera Ananda went to the Buddha, and put to him the question of the noblest of men. To him the Buddha replied, "Ananda, It is hard to find the noblest of men; he is not born everywhere nor in every clan. To whatever clan such a wise man is born, that clan prospers."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Dullabho purisajanno¹
na so sabbattha jayati
yattha so jayati dhiro
tam kulam sukhamedhati.²

Verse 193: It is hard to find the noblest of men; he is not born everywhere nor in every clan. To whatever clan such a wise man is born, that clan prospers.

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1. purisajanno: According to the Commentary, a Buddha is intended.
2. sukhamedhati: lit., attains happiness or thrives in happiness.