3.3 The Story about a Dissatisfied Bhikkhu

Dhp 36

CST4: Aññatara-ukkaṇṭhitabhikkhuvatthu

Burlingame: A Discontented bhikkhu

Anupubba was a faithful householder who fulfilled his duties to the monastics, and later was ordained himself, but became weary with all the rules and regulations; the Buddha told him his real duty was only to guard his mind, and further taught him with a verse.

Keywords: Faith, Discontent, Rich Men, Guarding the Mind

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“Hard to see and very subtle,” [29.8] this Dhamma teaching was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Jetavana with reference to a certain discontented bhikkhu.

We are told that while the Teacher was in residence at Sāvatthī, a certain rich man’s son approached an elder who resorted to his house for alms and said to him: “Venerable Sir, I desire to obtain release from suffering. Tell me some way by which I can obtain release from suffering.” {1.298} The elder replied: “Good, friend. If you desire release from suffering, give ticket-food, give fortnightly food, give lodging during the season of the rains, give bowls and robes and the other requisites. Divide your possessions into three parts: with one portion carry on your business; with another portion support son and wife; dispense the third portion in alms in the dispensation of the Buddha.”

“Very well, venerable Sir,” said the rich man’s son, and did all in the prescribed order. Having done all, he returned to the elder and asked him: “Venerable Sir, is there anything else I ought to do?” – “Friend, take upon yourself the three refuges and the five precepts.” The rich man’s son did so, and then asked whether there was anything else he ought to do. “Yes,” replied the Elder, “take upon yourself the ten precepts.” – “Very well, venerable Sir,” said the rich man’s son, and took upon himself the ten precepts. Because the rich man’s son had in this manner performed works of merit gradually (anupubbena), he came to be called Anupubba (Gradual). Again he asked the elder: “Venerable Sir, is there anything else I ought to do?” The elder replied: “Yes, go forth.” The rich man’s son immediately went forth.

Now he had a teacher who was versed in the Abhidhamma and a preceptor who was versed in the Vinaya. After he had taken higher ordination, whenever he approached his teacher, the latter repeated questions found in the Abhidhamma: “In the dispensation of the Buddha it is lawful to do this, it is unlawful to do that.” And whenever he approached his preceptor, the latter repeated questions found in the Vinaya: “In the dispensation of the Buddha it is lawful to do this, it is [29.9] unlawful to do that; this is proper, this is improper.” After a time he thought to himself: “Oh, what a wearisome task this is! I went forth in order to obtain release from suffering, but here there is not even room for me to stretch out my hands. {1.299} It is possible, however, to obtain release from suffering, even if one live the household life. I had best become a householder once more.”

From that time forth, discontented and dissatisfied, he rehearsed the 32-fold nature no more and received instruction no more. He became emaciated, his skin shriveled up, veins stood out all over his body, weariness oppressed him, and his body was covered with scabs.

The young bhikkhus and novices asked him: “Friend, how is it that wherever you stand, wherever you sit, you are sick of the jaundice, emaciated, shriveled up, your body covered with scabs? What have you done?” – “Friends, I am discontent.” – “Why?” He told them his story, and they told his teacher and his preceptor, and his teacher and his preceptor took him with them to the Teacher.

The Teacher said: “Bhikkhus, why have you come?” – “Venerable Sir, this bhikkhu is dissatisfied in your dispensation.” – “Bhikkhu, is what they say true?” – “Yes, venerable Sir.” – “Why are you dissatisfied?” – “Venerable Sir, I went forth in order to obtain release from suffering. My teacher has recited passages from the Abhidhamma, and my preceptor has recited passages from the Vinaya. Venerable Sir, I have come to the following conclusion: ‘Here there is not even room for me to stretch out my hands. It is possible for me to obtain release from suffering as a householder. I will therefore become a householder.’” – “Bhikkhu, if you can guard one thing, it will not be necessary for you to guard the rest.” – “What is that, venerable Sir?” – “Can you guard your thoughts?” – “I can, venerable Sir.” – “Well then, guard your thoughts alone.” Having given this admonition, the Teacher pronounced the following verse:

36. Sududdasaṁ sunipuṇaṁ yatthakāmanipātinaṁ,
cittaṁ rakkhetha medhāvī, cittaṁ guttaṁ sukhāvahaṁ.

Hard to see and very subtle,
and flitting wherever it will,
the sage should surely guard the mind,
a guarded mind brings happiness.

At the conclusion of that teaching the bhikkhu attained the fruition of Stream-entry, and many others became Stream-enterers and so on, and many people benefited from that teaching.