6.9 The Story about the Elder Dhammika

Dhp 84

Burlingame: Husband and Wife

Compare: Dhp-a 24.4

The householder Dhammika wanted to ordain, but his wife persuaded him for some time to delay it; eventually he ordained anyway, became an Arahat, and went back to teach his wife and son, who themselves ordained and became Arahats; the Buddha taught a verse with Elder Dhammika in mind.

Keywords: Renunciation, Families

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“Not for one’s own sake and not for another’s sake,” this Dhamma teaching was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Jetavana with reference to the Elder Dhammika.

In Sāvatthī, we are told, a certain lay disciple lived the life of a householder righteously and peacefully. Desiring to go forth, he said to his wife one day as he sat chatting with her pleasantly: “Dear wife, I desire to go forth.” She replied: “Husband, wait {2.158} until I give birth to the child that is in my womb.” He [29.195] waited until the child was old enough to walk and then asked her again. She replied: “Husband, wait until this child comes of age.” So he said to himself: “What difference does it make to me whether she gives me her permission or not? I will secure release from suffering for myself.”

Accordingly he went forth. Having obtained a subject of meditation, by striving and struggling, he reached the consummation of his own spiritual life. Then he returned once more to Sāvatthī to see his family and taught the Dhamma to his son. Thereupon his son went forth, and in no long time attained Arahatship. His former wife thought to herself: “Both of those for whom I desired to live the household life, have gone forth; what interest has this life for me any longer? I will go forth.” Accordingly she went forth and after going forth in no long time she also became an Arahat.

One day the bhikkhus began a discussion in the Dhamma Hall: “Our brother disciple Dhammika, because he was firmly established in the Dhamma, after he had gone forth, attained Arahatship, and set an example for his son.”

The Teacher came in and asked: “Bhikkhus, what are you sitting here now talking about?” They told him. He said: “Bhikkhus, a wise man should desire success neither for his own sake nor for the sake of another. {2.159} A righteous man should seek refuge only in the Dhamma.” And joining the connection and instructing them in the Dhamma, he pronounced the following verse:

84. Na attahetu na parassa hetu,
na puttam-icche na dhanaṁ na raṭṭhaṁ –
na iccheyya adhammena samiddhim-attano;
sa sīlavā paññavā dhammiko siyā.

Not for one’s own sake and not for another’s sake,
not desiring a child, riches, or a kingdom:
he should not desire his success through corruption;
he should be both virtuous and wise and righteous.