24.3 The Story about the Runaway Bhikkhu

Dhp 344

Burlingame: The Renegade Monk

A young bhikkhu who had high concentration attainments was enchanted by golden objects and decided to leave the monastic life; unable to find work he became a thief and was caught and sentenced to death; on his way to the execution ground he attained the fourth absorption; the Buddha appeared to him and taught him with a verse, and he became an Arahat and escaped his punishment.

Keywords: Thieves, Meditation, Kings, Radiant Image, Insight

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“The one who is free from desires,” {4.52} this Dhamma teaching was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Veḷuvana with reference to a certain bhikkhu who returned to the world. [30.222]

It seems that this bhikkhu, a fellow-resident of Elder Mahā Kassapa, after entering into the four absorptions, saw various objects pleasing to the eye in the house of his own uncle, who was a goldsmith, formed an attachment for them, and returned to the world. But he was so lazy that he refused to do any work, and therefore they put him out of the house. Thereupon he began to associate with wicked companions, and made a living by going about stealing. One day they caught him, bound his arms tightly behind his back, and led him to the place of execution, beating him with lashes at every four-corners.

The elder, entering the city to make his rounds for alms, saw the runaway bhikkhu being led out by the South Gate, caused his bonds to be loosened, and said to him: “Consider once more the subject of meditation you formerly employed.” The runaway bhikkhu complied with his admonition, applied himself to meditation, and developed the fourth absorption once more. His captors led him to the place of execution, and said to him: “We are going to kill you,” and began to heat the spikes. The bandit showed neither fear nor perturbation. The executioners took their places on all sides round about, and raised weapons, swords, spears, and lances.

But when they observed that the thief exhibited no signs of fear, they exclaimed: “Sirs, just look at this man! Though he stands in the midst of many hundred men holding weapons in their hands, he neither trembles nor quakes. What a wonderful thing it is!” And filled with wonder and amazement, they shouted at the top of their lungs, and then went and reported the matter to the king. When the king learned of the circumstances, he said: “Release the man.” Then {4.53} they went to the Teacher and reported the matter to him. The Teacher sent forth a radiant image of himself, and teaching the Dhamma, pronounced the following verse:

344. Yo nibbanatho vanādhimutto,
vanamutto vanam-eva dhāvati,
taṁ puggalam-etha passatha,
mutto bandhanam-eva dhāvati.

The one who is free from desires,
who is intent on the forest,
though free, runs back to the forest,
come here and look at that person,
though free, he runs back to bondage.

Now on hearing this doctrinal instruction, the runaway bhikkhu, even as he lay on the tips of the spikes, surrounded by the king’s men, began to meditate on birth and death, having insight into the three characteristics, and understanding the conditions, he attained the fruition of Stream-entry. And experiencing the bliss of attainment, he rose into the air, proceeded through the air to the Teacher, worshipped the Teacher, [30.223] and in the midst of the assembled company, which included the king, attained Arahatship.