A Few Reach The Other Shore & Those Who Follow The Dhamma Are Liberated

The Story of Dhamma Listeners

Chapter 6: The Wise • Verse 10

The Verse

Few among men are those who cross to the farther shore. The rest, the bulk of men, only run up and down the hither bank.

— Dhammapada, Chapter 6, Verse 10

The Story

While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke these verses with reference to a congregation of people who had come to hear a religious discourse in Savatthi.

On one occasion, a group of people from Savatthi made special offerings to the monks together, and arranged for some monks to give discourses in their neighbourhood throughout the night.

Many in the audience could not stay up all night and went home early. Some stayed through the night but were drowsy and half-asleep most of the time. Only a few listened attentively to the discourse.

At dawn, when the monks told the Buddha what had happened, he said that most people are attached to this world, and only a very few reach the other shore (Nibbana).

A Few Reach The Other Shore & Those Who Follow The Dhamma Are Liberated

The Story of Dhamma Listeners

Chapter 6: The Wise • Verse 10

The Verse

Few among men are those who cross to the farther shore. The rest, the bulk of men, only run up and down the hither bank.

— Dhammapada, Chapter 6, Verse 10

The Story

While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke these verses with reference to a congregation of people who had come to hear a religious discourse in Savatthi.

On one occasion, a group of people from Savatthi made special offerings to the monks together, and arranged for some monks to give discourses in their neighbourhood throughout the night.

Many in the audience could not stay up all night and went home early. Some stayed through the night but were drowsy and half-asleep most of the time. Only a few listened attentively to the discourse.

At dawn, when the monks told the Buddha what had happened, he said that most people are attached to this world, and only a very few reach the other shore (Nibbana).

Dhammapada — Timeless wisdom from the Buddha's teachings

©2026 • A digital sanctuary for reflection