6.3 The Story about the Elder Channa

Dhp 78

Burlingame: Channa, Elder

Compare: Vin Cv 11; DN 16; Thag-a 69

Elder Channa was always abusing the Chief Disciples; when the Buddha found out he admonished him with a verse, but still he refused to refrain; at the Buddha’s bidding he was isolated by the bhikkhus. He later repented and became an Arahat.

Cast: Channa, Elder Sāriputta, Elder Mahā Moggallāna

Keywords: Chief Disciples, Reviling, Punishment

“One should not keep company,” [29.166] this Dhamma teaching was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Jetavana with reference to the Elder Channa.

It seems that the Elder Channa once reviled the two Chief Disciples, saying: “Ever since I went forth with our Noble Master and made the Great Renunciation, I have looked at no one else; {2.111} but now these two elders go about saying: ‘I am Sāriputta, I am Moggallāna; we are the Chief Disciples.’” Learning from the bhikkhus what the Elder Channa was doing, the Teacher sent for him and admonished him. For a moment he was silent, but immediately afterwards went out and resumed his abuse of the elders. The Teacher sent for him and admonished him the second time and again the third time, saying: “Channa, in the two Chief Disciples you have friends who are good men, the best of men; make friends of such good men and follow only such.” So saying, he taught the Dhamma by pronouncing the following verse:

78. Na bhaje pāpake mitte, na bhaje purisādhame,
bhajetha mitte kalyāṇe, bhajetha purisuttame.

One should not keep company with those wicked friends,
one should not keep company with the ignoble,
you should keep company with spiritual friends,
you should keep company with those superior.

But the Elder Channa, even after he had heard the Teacher’s admonition, went out and reviled and abused the elders precisely as before. The bhikkhus reported the matter to the Teacher. {2.112}

The Teacher said: “Bhikkhus, so long as I remain alive, you will not be able to teach Channa. After my decease, however, you will succeed.” When the Parinibbāna was at hand, the venerable Ānanda asked the Teacher: “Venerable Sir, how shall we deal with the Elder Channa?” Then the Teacher directed Ānanda to give the Elder Channa the supreme punishment. AJ: Brahmadaṇḍa, that is, not communicating with him until he mend his ways.

After the decease of the Teacher Channa was summoned. The Elder Ānanda pronounced sentence. Hearing the sentence, Channa was overwhelmed with sorrow and sadness at the thought of having fallen after being freed three times. He cried out: “Do not ruin me, venerable Sir,” and thereafter performed his duties faithfully, in no long time he reached Arahatship, together with the analytic knowledges.