THE STORY OF THE BHIKKHU FROM VAJJI COUNTRY - Dhammapada Verse 302

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In today's session, we look at Dhammapada Verse 302 and the STORY OF THE BHIKKHU FROM VAJJI COUNTRY. This monk had a misguided thought one evening, that his plight (i.e. feeling lonely and unhappy) was worse than anybody else. This story is very helpful as a reflection for how we might be feeling (in and out of restrictions and lockdowns) as we look out at the world, and how to straighten our thoughts and feelings.

In this saying of the Buddha, he encourages us to contemplate hardships in life for all beings i.e. Birth is dukkha in all places (jatipi dukkha):

“Duppabbajjaṁ durabhiramaṁ,
Durāvāsā gharā dukhā;
Dukkho samāna saṁvāso,
Dukkhā anupatita addhagū;
Tasmā na caddhagū siyā,
Na ca dukkha anupatito siyā.”

“It’s difficult to go forth, it’s difficult to be content.
The life of a householder is difficult and painful.
To live with those who are unequal is painful.
The traveller (in samsara) is afflicted by suffering
Therefore, do not be a traveller (in samsara),
Do not be afflicted by suffering.”

Other suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk:

• – Pariyesanā Sutta (AN 4.255)
• – Assu Sutta (SN 15.3)
• – Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta (SN 56.11),
• – Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta (DN 22)
• – Paṭhamakoṭigāma Sutta (SN 56.21)
• – Ādittapariyāya Sutta (SN 35.28)
• – Suttavebhaṅgiya (Pe 9)

To read the full chapter (Pakiṇṇaka Vagga) of the Dhammapada - https://suttacentral.net/dhp290-305/en/feldmeier

The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYGFYyy_mqM AND on Spotify as a video podcast

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai