20.1 The Story about Five Hundred Bhikkhus

Dhp 273-276

Burlingame: The Eightfold Path is the Best of Paths

Five hundred bhikkhus were discussing the many paths they had trod while on walking tour when the Buddha asked them their topic of discussion; on finding out, he advised them with some verses not to worry about those paths but to follow the best of paths.

Keywords: Noble Eightfold Path

“The eightfold is the best of paths,” [30.149] {3.401} this Dhamma teaching was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Jetavana with reference to five hundred bhikkhus.

It seems that once upon a time the Teacher, after journeying through the country, returned to Sāvatthī and seated himself in the attendance hall. When he had taken his seat, these five hundred bhikkhus began to talk about the paths over which they had traveled, saying: “The path to such and such a village is smooth; to such and such a village, rough; to such and such a village, covered with pebbles; to such and such a village, without a pebble.” After this manner did they discuss the paths over which they had traveled.

The Teacher, perceiving that they had the supporting conditions for Arahatship, went to the attendance hall, and seating himself in the seat already prepared for him, asked: “Bhikkhus, what is the present subject of discussion as you sit here together?” When they told him, he said: “Bhikkhus, this is a path foreign to our interests; one who is a bhikkhu should address himself to the Noble Path, for only by so doing can he obtain release from all suffering.” So saying, he pronounced the following verses: {3.402}

273. Maggānaṭṭhaṅgiko seṭṭho, saccānaṁ caturo padā,
virāgo seṭṭho dhammānaṁ, dipadānañ-ca Cakkhumā.

The eightfold is the best of paths,
four principles the best of truths,
passionlessness the best of states,
the Visionary the best of men.

274. Eso va maggo natthañño, dassanassa visuddhiyā,
etaṁ hi tumhe paṭipajjatha, Mārassetaṁ pamohanaṁ.

This the path, there is no other,
for insight and for purity,
you should enter upon this path,
this, the confounding of Māra.

275. Etaṁ hi tumhe paṭipannā dukkhassantaṁ karissatha,
akkhāto ve mayā maggo, aññāya sallasanthanaṁ.

Having entered upon this path
you make an end to suffering,
the path was declared by me, the
removal of darts by knowledge.

276. Tumhehi kiccaṁ ātappaṁ akkhātāro Tathāgatā,
paṭipannā pamokkhanti jhāyino Mārabandhanā.

Your duty is to have ardour
declare the Realised Ones, on
this path meditators will be
released from the bonds of Māra.

At the end of the teaching those bhikkhus were established in Arahatship, and those who had assembled also had benefit from the Dhamma teaching.