Treasure The Advice Of The Wise
The Story of Venerable Radha
Chapter 6: The Wise • Verse 1
The Story of Venerable Radha
Chapter 6: The Wise • Verse 1
Should one find a man who points out faults and who reproves, let him follow such a wise and sagacious person as one would a guide to hidden treasure. It is always better, and never worse, to cultivate such an association.
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to Venerable Radha, who had once been a poor old brahmin.
Radha was a poor brahmin who lived at the monastery doing small services for the monks. In return he was given food, clothing, and other necessities, but although he longed to become a monk, the monks did not encourage him to join the Sangha.
One morning, surveying the world with his supernormal power, the Buddha saw the old brahmin in his vision and knew that he was ready for Arahatship. He went to the old man and learned that the monks did not want to admit him.
The Buddha gathered the monks and asked whether any of them remembered a good turn this old man had done for them. Venerable Sariputta replied that he remembered the old man once offering him a spoonful of rice.
The Buddha asked whether Sariputta should not then help his benefactor to be freed from the ills of life. Sariputta agreed to make the old man a monk, and Radha was duly admitted to the Sangha.
Venerable Sariputta guided the old monk, who followed his guidance strictly, and within a few days Radha attained Arahatship.
When the Buddha next visited, the monks told him how faithfully Radha followed Sariputta's guidance. The Buddha said that in a previous life Sariputta had been a solitary elephant who gave his own pure white son to some carpenters, in gratitude for their healing his foot.
Then, speaking of Radha, the Buddha told the monks that when a fault is pointed out to a monk, he should accept correction like Radha, and should not take offence when admonished.
The Story of Venerable Radha
Chapter 6: The Wise • Verse 1
Should one find a man who points out faults and who reproves, let him follow such a wise and sagacious person as one would a guide to hidden treasure. It is always better, and never worse, to cultivate such an association.
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to Venerable Radha, who had once been a poor old brahmin.
Radha was a poor brahmin who lived at the monastery doing small services for the monks. In return he was given food, clothing, and other necessities, but although he longed to become a monk, the monks did not encourage him to join the Sangha.
One morning, surveying the world with his supernormal power, the Buddha saw the old brahmin in his vision and knew that he was ready for Arahatship. He went to the old man and learned that the monks did not want to admit him.
The Buddha gathered the monks and asked whether any of them remembered a good turn this old man had done for them. Venerable Sariputta replied that he remembered the old man once offering him a spoonful of rice.
The Buddha asked whether Sariputta should not then help his benefactor to be freed from the ills of life. Sariputta agreed to make the old man a monk, and Radha was duly admitted to the Sangha.
Venerable Sariputta guided the old monk, who followed his guidance strictly, and within a few days Radha attained Arahatship.
When the Buddha next visited, the monks told him how faithfully Radha followed Sariputta's guidance. The Buddha said that in a previous life Sariputta had been a solitary elephant who gave his own pure white son to some carpenters, in gratitude for their healing his foot.
Then, speaking of Radha, the Buddha told the monks that when a fault is pointed out to a monk, he should accept correction like Radha, and should not take offence when admonished.