141 THE STORY OF THE BHIKKHU FROM VAJJI COUNTRY - Dhammapada Verse 302

<p>Welcome back to the <strong>Sutta Meditation Series Podcast</strong>.</p> <p>In today's session, we look at <strong>Dhammapada Verse 302 and the STORY OF THE BHIKKHU FROM VAJJI COUNTRY.</strong> This monk had a misguided thought one evening, that his plight (i.e. feeling lonely and unhappy) was worse than anybody else. <strong>This story is very helpful as a reflection for how we might be feeling (in and out of restrictions and lockdowns) as we look out at the world, and how to straighten our thoughts and feelings.</strong></p> <p>In this saying of the Buddha, he encourages us to contemplate hardships in life for all beings i.e. Birth is dukkha in all places (jatipi dukkha):</p> <p><em><strong>“Duppabbajjaṁ durabhiramaṁ,<br> Durāvāsā gharā dukhā;<br> Dukkho samāna saṁvāso,<br> Dukkhā anupatita addhagū;<br> Tasmā na caddhagū siyā,<br> Na ca dukkha anupatito siyā.”</strong></em></p> <p>“It’s difficult to go forth, it’s difficult to be content.<br> The life of a householder is difficult and painful.<br> To live with those who are unequal is painful.<br> The traveller (in samsara) is afflicted by suffering<br> Therefore, do not be a traveller (in samsara),<br> Do not be afflicted by suffering.”</p> <p>Other suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk:</p> <ul> <li>– Pariyesanā Sutta (AN 4.255)</li> <li>– Assu Sutta (SN 15.3)</li> <li>– Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta (SN 56.11),&nbsp;</li> <li>– Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta (DN 22)</li> <li>– Paṭhamakoṭigāma Sutta (SN 56.21)</li> <li>– Ādittapariyāya Sutta (SN 35.28)</li> <li>– Suttavebhaṅgiya (Pe 9)</li> </ul> <p>To read the full chapter (Pakiṇṇaka Vagga) of the Dhammapada - https://suttacentral.net/dhp290-305/en/feldmeier</p> <p><strong>The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYGFYyy_mqM</strong></p> <p>Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai</p> --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/suttameditationseries/message