The Wise Live Correctly
The Story of Venerable Dhammika
Chapter 6: The Wise • Verse 9
The Story of Venerable Dhammika
Chapter 6: The Wise • Verse 9
He is indeed virtuous, wise, and righteous who neither for his own sake nor for the sake of another (does any wrong), who does not crave for sons, wealth, or kingdom, and does not desire success by unjust means.
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to Venerable Dhammika.
Dhammika lived in Savatthi with his wife. One day he told his pregnant wife that he wished to become a monk, and she begged him to wait until their child was born.
When the child was born, he asked again, and again she begged him to wait, this time until the child could walk.
Dhammika then decided it was useless to keep asking for his wife's approval, and that he would work for his own liberation. He left home and became a monk, took a meditation subject from the Buddha, practised ardently and diligently, and soon became an Arahat.
Some years later he returned home to teach the Dhamma to his wife and son. His son entered the Sangha and also attained Arahatship.
His wife then thought that since both her husband and son had left home, she too should leave. She became a nun and eventually attained Arahatship as well.
When the monks told the Buddha how Dhammika had become an Arahat and how, through him, his son and wife had also attained Arahatship, the Buddha said that a wise man does not seek wealth and prosperity through evil, whether for himself or for others, but works for liberation from the round of rebirths (samsara) by understanding the teaching and living by the Dhamma.
The Story of Venerable Dhammika
Chapter 6: The Wise • Verse 9
He is indeed virtuous, wise, and righteous who neither for his own sake nor for the sake of another (does any wrong), who does not crave for sons, wealth, or kingdom, and does not desire success by unjust means.
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to Venerable Dhammika.
Dhammika lived in Savatthi with his wife. One day he told his pregnant wife that he wished to become a monk, and she begged him to wait until their child was born.
When the child was born, he asked again, and again she begged him to wait, this time until the child could walk.
Dhammika then decided it was useless to keep asking for his wife's approval, and that he would work for his own liberation. He left home and became a monk, took a meditation subject from the Buddha, practised ardently and diligently, and soon became an Arahat.
Some years later he returned home to teach the Dhamma to his wife and son. His son entered the Sangha and also attained Arahatship.
His wife then thought that since both her husband and son had left home, she too should leave. She became a nun and eventually attained Arahatship as well.
When the monks told the Buddha how Dhammika had become an Arahat and how, through him, his son and wife had also attained Arahatship, the Buddha said that a wise man does not seek wealth and prosperity through evil, whether for himself or for others, but works for liberation from the round of rebirths (samsara) by understanding the teaching and living by the Dhamma.