4.7 The Story about the Lay Disciple Chattapāṇi
Chattapāṇi-Upāsakassa Vatthu

“Just like a beautiful flower,” this Dhamma teaching was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Sāvatthī with reference to the lay disciple Chattapāṇi (Umbrella-Holder). {1.380}

For at Sāvatthī lived a lay disciple named Chattapāṇi, versed in the Three Baskets, who was a Non-returner. AJ: Burlingame made an unfortunate mistake here, translating Anāgāmī as one “enjoying the Fruit of the Second Path.” An Anāgāmī, however, is on the 3^rd stage, and is a Non-returner. Early one morning, while keeping the Observance Day, he went to pay his respects to the Teacher.

For those who are [29.57] noble Non-returners, by reason of their previous undertaking, do not take upon themselves the obligations of Observance Day. Such persons, solely by virtue of the path, lead the holy life and eat but one meal a day. Therefore said the Fortunate One: BG: MN 81. “Great king, Ghaṭīkāra the potter eats but one meal a day, leads the holy life, is virtuous and upright.” Thus, as a matter of course, those who are Non-returners eat but one meal a day and lead the holy life.

Chattapāṇi also, thus keeping the Observance Day, approached the Teacher, worshipped him, and sat down and listened to the Dhamma. Now at this time King Pasenadi Kosala also came to pay his respects to the Teacher. When Chattapāṇi saw him coming, he reflected: “Shall I rise to meet him or not?” He came to the following conclusion: “Since I am seated in the presence of the king of kings, I am not called upon to rise on seeing the king of one of his provinces. Even if he becomes angry, I will not rise. {1.381} For if I rise on seeing the king, the king will be honored, and not the Teacher. Therefore I will not rise.” Therefore Chattapāṇi did not rise. Wise men never become angry when they see a man remain seated, instead of rising, in the presence of those of higher rank.

But when King Pasenadi saw that Chattapāṇi did not rise, his heart was filled with anger. However, he worshipped the Teacher and sat down respectfully on one side. The Teacher, observing that he was angry, said to him: “Great king, this lay disciple Chattapāṇi is a wise man, knows the Dhamma, is versed in the Three Baskets, is content both in prosperity and adversity.” Thus did the Teacher extol the lay disciple’s good qualities. Even as the king listened to the Teacher’s praise of the lay disciple, his heart softened.

Now one day after breakfast, as the king stood on the upper floor of his palace, he saw the lay disciple Chattapāṇi pass through the courtyard of the royal palace with a parasol in his hand and sandals on his feet. Straightaway he caused him to be summoned before him. Chattapāṇi laid aside his parasol and sandals, approached the king, worshipped him, and took his stand respectfully on one side. The king said to Chattapāṇi: “Lay disciple, why did you lay aside your parasol and sandals?” – “When I heard the words: ‘The king summons you,’ I laid aside my parasol and sandals before coming into your presence.” – “Evidently, then, you have today learned that [29.58] I am king.” – “I always knew that you were king.” – “If that be true, then why was it that the other day, when you were seated in the presence of the Teacher and saw me, you did not rise?” – “Great king, had I, seated in the presence of the king of kings, risen on seeing a king of one of his provinces, I should have shown disrespect for the Teacher. Therefore did I not rise.”

“Very well, let bygones be bygones. I am told that you are well versed in matters pertaining to the present world and the world to come; {1.382} that you are versed in the Three Baskets. Recite the Dhamma in our women’s quarters.” – “I cannot, your majesty.” – “Why not?” – “A king’s house is subject to severe censure. Improper and proper alike are grave matters in this case, your majesty.” – “Say not so. The other day, when you saw me, you saw fit not to rise. Do not add insult to injury.” – “Your majesty, it is a censurable act for householders to go about performing the functions of bhikkhus. Send for someone who is a bhikkhu and ask him to recite the Dhamma.”

The king dismissed him, saying: “Very well, sir, you may go.” Having so done, he sent a messenger to the Teacher with the following request: “Venerable Sir, my consorts Mallikā and Vāsabhā Khattiyā say: ‘We desire to master the Dhamma.’ Therefore pray come to my house regularly with five hundred bhikkhus and teach the Dhamma to them.” The Teacher sent the following reply: “Great king, it is impossible for the Buddhas to go regularly to any one place.” – “In that case, venerable Sir, send some bhikkhu.” The Teacher assigned the duty to the Elder Ānanda. And the elder came regularly and recited to those queens. Of the two queens, Mallikā learned thoroughly, rehearsed faithfully, and heeded her teacher’s instruction. But Vāsabhā Khattiyā did not learn thoroughly, nor did she rehearse faithfully, nor was she able to master the instruction she received.

One day the Teacher asked the Elder Ānanda: “Ānanda, are your female lay disciples mastering the Dhamma?” – “Yes, venerable Sir.” – “Which one learns thoroughly?” – “Venerable Sir, Mallikā learns thoroughly, rehearses faithfully, and can understand thoroughly the instruction she receives. But your kinswoman does not learn thoroughly, nor does she rehearse faithfully, nor can she understand thoroughly the instruction she receives.”

When the Teacher heard the elder’s reply, he said: “Ānanda, as for the Dhamma I have taught, to one who is not faithful in hearing, learning, {1.383} rehearsing, and teaching it, it is profitless, like a flower that possesses color but lacks perfume. But to one who is faithful in hearing, learning, rehearsing [29.59] and teaching the Dhamma, it returns abundant fruit and manifold blessings.” So saying, he pronounced the following verses:

51. Yathā pi ruciraṁ pupphaṁ vaṇṇavantaṁ agandhakaṁ,
evaṁ subhāsitā vācā aphalā hoti akubbato.

Just like a beautiful flower,
which has colour, but lacks fragrance,
so are well-spoken words fruitless
for the one who acts not on them.

52. Yathā pi ruciraṁ pupphaṁ vaṇṇavantaṁ sagandhakaṁ,
evaṁ subhāsitā vācā saphalā hoti pakubbato.

Just like a beautiful flower,
which has both colour and fragrance,
so are well-spoken words fruitful
for the one who will act on them. {1.384}

At the end of the teaching many attained the fruition of Stream-entry and so on, and benefit arose for many people from the teaching.

last updated: August 2024