25.4 The Story about the Elder Dhammārāma

Dhp 364

Burlingame: By Righteousness Men Honor the Buddha

Compare: Dhp-a 12.10; Dhp-a 15.7

When Elder Dhammārāma heard the Buddha declare his intention to finally pass away in four months time, rather than attend on the Buddha, he went to the forest to practice the teaching; the Buddha lauded him and said this is how one truly honours him, and spoke a verse.

Keywords: Listening to Dhamma, Solitude, Practising

“The one who finds pleasure in the Dhamma,” this Dhamma teaching was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Jetavana with reference to Elder Dhammārāma.

From the day when the Teacher announced: “Four months hence I shall pass into Parinibbāna,” bhikkhus by the thousand spent their time in attendance upon the Teacher. Those who had not yet attained Stream-entry were unable to restrain their tears; those who had attained Arahatship experienced spiritual urgency; all went about in little groups, saying: “What are we to do?” {4.94}

But a single bhikkhu named Dhammārāma, went nowhere near the other bhikkhus. And when they asked him: “Why, friend?” he gave them no answer. For Dhammārāma thought to himself: “The Teacher has announced that four months hence he will pass into Parinibbāna, and I have not yet freed myself from the bondage of desire. Therefore so long as the Teacher remains alive, I will struggle and attain Arahatship.” Accordingly Dhammārāma went about by himself, considering and pondering and calling to mind the Dhamma taught by the Teacher.

The bhikkhus reported to the Realised One: “Venerable Sir, Dhammārāma is devoid of affection for you. Since he heard us say: ‘Four months hence the Teacher will pass into Parinibbāna; what shall we do?’ He has had nothing to do with us.”

The Teacher caused Dhammārāma [30.250] to be summoned before him and asked him: “Is the report true that you have done thus and so?” – “Yes, venerable Sir, it is true.” – “Why have you so done?” – “This is the thought in my mind: ‘You have announced that four months hence you are to will pass into Parinibbāna, and I have not yet freed myself from the bondage of desire; therefore while you yet remain alive, I will attain Arahatship.’ I am considering and pondering and calling to mind the Dhamma which you have taught.” – “Good! Good!” exclaimed the Teacher, applauding him.

Then the Teacher said to the bhikkhus: “Bhikkhus, every other bhikkhu should show his affection for me just as Dhammārāma has done. For they that honor me with garlands, perfumes, and the like, do not honor me; but they that practice the Dhamma in conformity with the Dhamma, they alone truly honor me.” So saying, he pronounced the following verse:

364. Dhammārāmo Dhammarato, Dhammaṁ anuvicintayaṁ,
Dhammaṁ anussaraṁ bhikkhu, Saddhammā na parihāyati.

The one who finds pleasure in the Dhamma,
delights in Dhamma, reflects on Dhamma,
the bhikkhu who remembers the Dhamma,
does not then abandon the Good Dhamma. {4.95}

At the end of the teaching that bhikkhu was established in Arahatship; the assembly also had benefit from the Dhamma teaching.