Victory Over Oneself Is Unequalled & Victory Over Self Cannot Be Undone
The Story of the Brahmin Anatthapucchaka
Chapter 8: The Thousands • Verse 5
The Story of the Brahmin Anatthapucchaka
Chapter 8: The Thousands • Verse 5
Self-conquest is far better than the conquest of others. A person who is self-subdued and ever restrained in conduct.
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke these verses with reference to the brahmin Anatthapucchaka.
Once a brahmin named Anatthapucchaka came to the Buddha and said he thought the Buddha knew only what was beneficial, and not what was harmful.
The Buddha replied that he knew the harmful as well, and listed six practices that waste one's wealth: sleeping until the sun is up, habitual idleness, cruelty, indulging in intoxicants that cause drunkenness and heedlessness, wandering the streets alone at unseemly hours, and sexual misconduct.
The brahmin applauded, praising the Buddha as a teacher and leader of the multitude who truly knew both gain and loss. The Buddha said that indeed no one knew loss as well as he did.
Then, considering what lay behind the brahmin's question, the Buddha asked how he made his living. The brahmin said he lived by gambling, and that sometimes he won and sometimes the other man won.
The Buddha told him that victory over another is a trifling thing, with no lasting advantage. But one who overcomes his defilements and conquers himself wins a far greater victory, one that no one can ever turn into defeat.
The Story of the Brahmin Anatthapucchaka
Chapter 8: The Thousands • Verse 5
Self-conquest is far better than the conquest of others. A person who is self-subdued and ever restrained in conduct.
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke these verses with reference to the brahmin Anatthapucchaka.
Once a brahmin named Anatthapucchaka came to the Buddha and said he thought the Buddha knew only what was beneficial, and not what was harmful.
The Buddha replied that he knew the harmful as well, and listed six practices that waste one's wealth: sleeping until the sun is up, habitual idleness, cruelty, indulging in intoxicants that cause drunkenness and heedlessness, wandering the streets alone at unseemly hours, and sexual misconduct.
The brahmin applauded, praising the Buddha as a teacher and leader of the multitude who truly knew both gain and loss. The Buddha said that indeed no one knew loss as well as he did.
Then, considering what lay behind the brahmin's question, the Buddha asked how he made his living. The brahmin said he lived by gambling, and that sometimes he won and sometimes the other man won.
The Buddha told him that victory over another is a trifling thing, with no lasting advantage. But one who overcomes his defilements and conquers himself wins a far greater victory, one that no one can ever turn into defeat.