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Arahatta Vagga ¹
The Worthy
(Text and Translation by Ven. Narada)

    The Venerable Devadatta attempted to kill the Buddha by hurling a stone from a rock above. It struck against another rock and a flying splinter hit His foot, causing intense physical pain. Jivaka the physician dressed the wound and left, saying that he would return to undress it after seeing a patient in the city. He could not return in due time as the city gate was closed. He was worried that the Buddha would be subject to intense pain. The Buddha read his thought and ordered the Venerable Ananda to remove the dressing. On the following morning Jivaka hurried to the monastery and inquired whether the Buddha was subject to much pain. Then the Buddha explained the mental attitude of an Emancipated One.

    Some monks misconstrued the conduct of the Venerable Kassapa and discussed amongst themselves that he still had attachment to his supporters and kinsmen. The Buddha heard their talk and remarked that the Venerable Kassapa was free from attachment.

    A monk stored food for future use. The Buddha advised him not to do so and explained the right attitude of a good monk.

    When his supporters brought food in abundance the Venerable Anuruddha was unjustly blamed by some monks saying that he was inducing the people to do so to show his influence. The Buddha remarked that the supporters' generosity was not due to any inducement on the part of the Venerable Anuruddha and added that the Undefiled Ones waste no time in talking about their requisites.

    Sakka, king of the gods, paid great reverence to the Venerable Kaccayana. Some monks accused Sakka of favouritism. The Buddha reproved them and remarked that Arahants like the Venerable Kaccayana whose senses are well subdued, are dear to both gods and men alike.

    Inadvertently the Venerable Sariputta brushed against the ear of a monk who was jealous of him. The latter reported this unconscious discourtesy to the Buddha. Questioned by the Buddha about the incident, the Venerable Sariputta, without asserting his innocence, described his humble ways ever since he became a monk. Remorse overtook the erring monk, who now implored pardon from the Venerable Sariputta, who in his turn sought pardon from him if he has done any wrong. The Buddha extolled the Venerable Sariputta, comparing him to the unresenting earth.

    While attempting to awaken, with his fan, a pupil novice who was thought to be asleep, a teacher accidentally injured the pupil's eye. Later, when the teacher tried to close the door, he injured the pupil's hand too. But the pupil showed no resentment at the carelessness of his teacher. He was well restrained. The Buddha praised him.

    The Buddha put some questions to the Venerable Sariputta with regard to faith. Sariputta replied that as he had realized the Paths and Fruits he would not act by mere faith in the Buddha. The monks were displeased to hear that he refused to believe in the Buddha. Thereupon the Buddha explained to the monks that Sariputta was not open to censure as he believed through personal experience and not through mere faith in another.

    Revata, youngest brother of the Venerable Sariputta renounced the world and before long attained Arahantship. He took delight in living alone in the forest. When the monks had meals with the Buddha at Visakha's residence she inquired about the forest where the Venerable Revata dwell. Thereupon the Buddha commented on the attractiveness of forests where Arahants dwell.

    A monk was meditating in a pleasure park. A courtesan, who had an assignation with a certain person to meet in the park, repaired thither, but the man did not turn up. As she was strolling about she saw the monk and attempted to tempt him. The Buddha, perceiving the scene with his Divine Eye, projected himself before the monk and commented on the attractiveness of the forests where the passionless dwell.

1 Arahanta has several meanings. It may be interpreted as "Worthy One". "Passionless One". Or one who commits no evil even secretly. He has got rid of both death and birth. After death, in conventional terms, he attains parinibbana. Until his death he serves other seekers of truth by example and by precept.

2 Of life in the round of existence, i.e., an Arahant.

3 Sabbadhi, the five Aggregates, etc.

4 One gives up sorrow by attaining Anagami, the third stage of Sainthood. It is at this stage one eradicates completely attachment to sense-desires and ill-will or aversion.

5 There are four kinds of ganthas (Ties) - namely: i. covetousness (abhijjha). ii. ill-will (vyapada). iii. indulgence in (wrongful) rites and ceremonies (silabbataparamasa), and iv. adherence to one's preconceptions as truth (idam saccabhinivesa).

6 This verse refers to the ethical state of an Arahant. Heat is both physical and mental. An Arahant experiences bodily heat as long as he is alive, but is not thereby worried. Mental heat of passions he experiences not.

7 Arahants wander whithersoever they like without any attachment to any particular place as they are free from the conception of "I" and "mine".

8 There are two kinds of accumulation- namely: kammic activities and the four necessaries of life. The former tend to prolong life in Samsara and the latter, though essential, may prove an obstacle to spiritual progress.

9 To get rid of the desire for food.

10 Nibbana is Deliverance from suffering (vimokkha). It is called Void because it is void of lust, hatred and ignorance, not because it is nothingness or annihilation. Nibbana is a positive supramundane state which cannot be expressed in mundane words. It is Signless because it is free from the signs of lust etc., Arahants experience Nibbanic bliss while alive. It is not correct to say that Arahants exist after death or do not exist after death, for Nibbana is neither eternalism nor nihilism. In Nibbana nothing is eternalised nor is anything, except passions, annihilated. Arahants experience Nibbanic bliss by attaining to the fruit of Arahantship in this life itself.

11 By indakhila is meant either a column as firm and high as that of Sakka's, or the chief column that stands at the entrance to a city. Commentators state that these indakhilas are firm posts which are erected either inside or outside the city as an embellishment. Usually they are made of bricks or of durable wood and are octagonal in shape. Half of the post is embedded in the earth, hence the metaphor `as firm and steady as an indakhila'.

12 Tadi is one who has neither attachment to desirable objects nor aversion to undesirable objects. Nor does he cling to anything. Amidst the eight worldly conditions - gain and loss, fame and infamy, blame and praise, happiness and pain - an Arahant remains unperturbed, manifesting neither attachment nor aversion, neither elation nor depression.

13 As they are not subject to birth and death. See note on samsara, vs 60.

14 From all defilements.

15 Since his mind is absolutely pure.

16 The pun in the original Pali is lost in the translation.

17 Assaddho, lit. unfaithful. He does not merely accept from other sources because he himself knows from personal experience.

18 Akata, Nibbana. It is so called because it is not created by anyone. Akatannu can also be interpreted as ungrateful.

19 The links of existence and rebirth. Sandhicchedo also means a housebreaker, that is, a burglar.

20 Hata + avakaso - he who has destroyed the opportunity.

21 Vanta + aso he who eats vomit is another meaning.

22 By means of the four paths of Sainthood. Gross forms of desire are eradicated at the first three stages, the subtle forms at the last stage.

23 Ninna and thala, lit., low-lying and elevated grounds.

24 The passionless Arahants rejoice in secluded forests which have no attraction for worldlings.