Buddhist Dhammapadha the monk with many possessions Bahu Bhandika

Chapter X - DANDA VAGGA - The Rod of Punishment

EXTERNAL PENANCES CANNOT PURIFY A PERSON

EXTERNAL PENANCES CANNOT PURIFY A PERSON

Na naggacariya na jata na panka nanasaka thandila sayika va
Rajo ca jallam ukkutikappadhanam sodhenti maccam avittina kankham. [141]

Not wandering naked, ¹nor matted locks, ² nor filth,³ nor fasting,⁴ nor lying on the ground,⁵ nor dust,⁶ nor ashes,⁷nor striving to squat on the heels,⁸ can purify a mortal who has not overcome doubts.⁹ [141]

X:08 The monk with many possessions (Bahu Bhandika)

Once there was a rich man in Savatthi. After the death of his wife, he decided to become a bhikkhu. But before he joined the Order, he built a monastery, which included a kitchen and a store room. He also brought his own furniture, utensils and a large stock of rice, oil, butter and other provisions. Whatever dishes he wanted were cooked for him by his servants. Thus, even as a bhikkhu he was living in comfort. One day, other bhikkhus reported to the Buddha how he was still leading the luxurious life of a rich man. So, the Buddha told Bahu Bhandika, 'My son, I have been teaching all of you to live a simple life; why have you brought so much property with you?' When he heard the Buddha speaking in that manner, the bhikkhu lost his temper and said angrily, 'Indeed, Venerable Sir! I will now live as you wish me to.' So saying, he cast off his robe and asked, 'Is this the way that you advise me to live?'

Seeing him thus, the Buddha admonished him, 'My son, in your last existence you were an evil spirit; even as a spirit you had a sense of shame (hiri) and a sense of fear (ottappa) to do evil. Now that you are a bhikkhu, why do you have to lose your sense of shame and the sense of fear to behave like this?' When the bhikkhu heard those words, he realised his mistake, his sense of shame and fear returned, he admitted his mistakes and respectfully sought forgiveness from the Buddha. The Enlightened One then admonished him, 'Standing there without your upper robe is not proper. Just discarding your robe, etc., does not make you an austere bhikkhu. A bhikkhu must also discard his ignorance.'

At the end of the discourse, many bhikkhus, reflecting mindfully on the admonition given to Bahu Bhandika, attained the first stage of Sainthood.

Notes:

Gymnosophism is still practised in India. External dirtiness is regarded by some as a mark of saintliness. The Buddha denounces strict asceticism confined to such externals. The members of his celibate Order follow the middle path, avoiding the extremes of self mortification and self-indulgence. Simplicity, humility, and poverty should be the chief characteristics of bhikkhus as much as cleanliness.

Unwashed matted hair is regarded by the foolish as a mark of holiness.

The non-cleansing of teeth, smearing the body with mud, etc.

Fasting alone does not lead to purification. The bhikkhus too fast daily between midday and the following dawn.

Sleeping on the ground. Bhikkhus only avoid luxurious and high couches.

Through not bathing.

Rubbing the body with ashes is still practised by some ascetics.

Continually sitting and wandering in that posture.

With regard to the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, etc.