The Person Of Effort Is Worthy
The Story of Venerable Sappadasa
Chapter 8: The Thousands • Verse 13
The Story of Venerable Sappadasa
Chapter 8: The Thousands • Verse 13
Better it is to live one day strenuous and resolute than to live a hundred years sluggish and dissipated.
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to Venerable Sappadasa.
There was once a monk who was unhappy with the monastic life, yet felt it would be shameful and improper to return to lay life. In his despair he decided he would rather die.
On one occasion he put his hand into a pot that held a snake, but the snake did not bite him, because in a past existence the snake had been his slave and he its master. Because of this he became known as Sappadasa, 'snake-slave'.
On another occasion he took a razor, intending to end his life. But as he held it, he reflected on the purity of his conduct throughout his life as a monk, and his whole body was suffused with joy (piti) and happiness (sukha).
Detaching himself from that joy, he turned his mind to developing insight, and soon attained Arahatship. Then he returned to the monastery.
The other monks asked where he had been and why he had taken the razor with him. When he told them what he had intended, they asked why he had not gone through with it. He replied that he had meant to cut his throat with the razor, but had instead cut off all defilements with the razor of insight.
The monks did not believe him, and asked the Buddha whether it was possible to attain Arahatship in such a short time.
The Buddha told them that it was indeed possible. For one who is zealous and strenuous in developing tranquillity and insight, Arahatship can come in an instant; a monk walking in meditation can attain it even before his raised foot touches the ground.
The Story of Venerable Sappadasa
Chapter 8: The Thousands • Verse 13
Better it is to live one day strenuous and resolute than to live a hundred years sluggish and dissipated.
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to Venerable Sappadasa.
There was once a monk who was unhappy with the monastic life, yet felt it would be shameful and improper to return to lay life. In his despair he decided he would rather die.
On one occasion he put his hand into a pot that held a snake, but the snake did not bite him, because in a past existence the snake had been his slave and he its master. Because of this he became known as Sappadasa, 'snake-slave'.
On another occasion he took a razor, intending to end his life. But as he held it, he reflected on the purity of his conduct throughout his life as a monk, and his whole body was suffused with joy (piti) and happiness (sukha).
Detaching himself from that joy, he turned his mind to developing insight, and soon attained Arahatship. Then he returned to the monastery.
The other monks asked where he had been and why he had taken the razor with him. When he told them what he had intended, they asked why he had not gone through with it. He replied that he had meant to cut his throat with the razor, but had instead cut off all defilements with the razor of insight.
The monks did not believe him, and asked the Buddha whether it was possible to attain Arahatship in such a short time.
The Buddha told them that it was indeed possible. For one who is zealous and strenuous in developing tranquillity and insight, Arahatship can come in an instant; a monk walking in meditation can attain it even before his raised foot touches the ground.