Dhammapada verse # 51 ~ 52
猶如鮮妙花，色美而無香，如是說善語，彼不行無果。
Just as a gorgeous blossom
brilliant but unscented,
so fruitless the well-spoken words
of one who does not act.
猶如鮮妙花，色美而芳香，如是說善語，彼實行有果。
Just as a gorgeous blossom
brilliant and sweet-scented,
so fruitful the well-spoken words
of one who acts as well.
☆☆☆
【第51, 52偈的故事】
舍衛城的佛陀信徒喬塔帕哩已經證得二果。有一次，他正在祇樹給孤獨園聽佛陀說法時，波斯匿王突然也來了。喬塔帕哩沒有起身，因為他認為若起身，可能會被認為是向國王，而不是向佛陀表達敬意，國王卻引以為侮辱而非常憤怒。佛陀知道國王心中的不滿，就向國王讚嘆喬塔帕哩的德行及對經藏的嫻熟。佛陀的解釋讓國王釋懷，並對喬塔帕哩留下深刻的印象。
後來，國王再次遇到喬塔帕哩時，請他為兩位妻妾教導佛法，喬塔帕哩委婉的拒絕，並建議國王請佛陀另外派比丘擔任這份工作。佛陀就指定阿難固定到王宮，向皇后末利夫人和行雨夫人說法。後來，佛陀問阿難，兩位后妃的進展如何，阿難說，末利夫人認真修習，但行雨夫人卻不專心。
佛陀說，只有專心、敬謹、認真修行，並且精進奉行的人，才能得到佛法的法益。
While residing at the Jētavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke these Verses, with reference to the lay disciple Chattapàni and the two queens of King Pasēnadi of Kōsala.
At Sàvatthi lived a lay disciple named Chattapàni, versed in the Tripitaka, enjoying the fruit of the second path. Early one morning, in observance of fasting, he went to pay his respects to the Buddha. For those who enjoy the fruition of the second path and those who are noble disciples, by reason of their previous undertaking, they do not take upon themselves the obligations of fast-day. Such persons, solely by virtue of the Path, lead the holy life and eat but one meal a day. Therefore said the Buddha, “Great king, Ghañãkàra the potter eats but one meal a day, leads the holy life, is virtuous and upright.” Thus, as a matter of course, those who enjoy the fruition of the second path eat but one meal a day and lead the holy life.
Chattapàni also, thus observing the fast, approached the Buddha, paid obeisance to him, and sat down and listened to the Dhamma. Now at this time King Pasēnadi Kōsala also came to pay his respects to the Buddha. When Chattapàni saw him coming, he reflected, “Shall I rise to meet him or not?” He came to the following conclusion, “Since I am seated in the presence of the Buddha, I am not called upon to rise on seeing the king of one of his provinces. Even if he becomes angry, I will not rise. For if I rise on seeing the king, the king will be honoured, and not the Buddha. Therefore I will not rise.” Therefore Chattapàni did not rise. (Wise men never become angry when they see a man remain seated, instead of rising, in the presence of those of higher rank.)
But when King Pasēnadi saw that Chattapàni did not rise, his heart was filled with anger. However, he paid obeisance to the Buddha and sat down respectfully on one side. The Buddha, observing that he was angry, said to him, “Great king, this lay disciple Chattapàni is a wise man, knows the Dhamma, is versed in the Tripitaka, is contented both in prosperity and adversity.” Thus did the Buddha extol the lay disciple’s good qualities. As the king listened to the Buddha’s praise of the lay disciple, his heart softened.
Now one day after breakfast, as the king stood on the upper floor of his palace, he saw the lay disciple Chattapàni pass through the courtyard of the royal palace with a parasol in his hand and sandals on his feet.
Straightaway he caused him to be summoned before him. Chattapàni laid aside his parasol and sandals, approached the king, paid obeisance to him, and took his stand respectfully on one side. Said the king to Chattapàni, “Lay disciple, why did you lay aside your parasol and sandals?” “When I heard the words, ‘The king summons you,’ I laid aside my parasol and sandals before coming into his presence.” “Evidently, then, you have today learned that I am king.” “I always knew that you were king.” “If that be true, then why was it that the other day, when you were seated in the presence of the Buddha and saw me, did you not rise?”
“Great king, as I was seated in the presence of the Buddha, to have risen on seeing a king of one of his provinces, I should have shown disrespect for the Buddha. Therefore did I not rise.” “Very well, let bygones be bygones. I am told that you are well versed in matters pertaining to the present world and the world to come; that you are versed in the Tipitaka. Recite the Dhamma in our women’s quarters.” “I cannot, your majesty.”
“Why not?” “A king’s house is subject to severe censure. Improper and proper alike are grave matters in this case, your majesty.” “Say not so. The other day, when you saw me, you saw fit not to rise. Do not add insult to injury.” “Your majesty, it is a censurable act for householders to go about performing the functions of monks. Send for someone who is a monk and ask him to recite the Dhamma.”
The king dismissed him, saying, “Very well, sir, you may go.” Having so done, he sent a messenger to the Buddha with the following request, “Venerable, my consorts Mallikà and Vàsabhakhattiyà say, ‘We desire to master the Dhamma.’ Therefore come to my house regularly with five hundred monks and preach the Dhamma.” The Buddha sent the following reply, “Great king, it is impossible for me to go regularly to any one place.” In that case, Venerable, send some monk.” The Buddha assigned the duty to the Venerable ânanda. And the Venerable came regularly and recited the Dhamma to those queens. Of the two queens, Mallikà learned thoroughly, rehearsed faithfully, and heeded her teacher’s instruction. But Vàsabhakhattiyà did not learn thoroughly, nor did she rehearse faithfully, nor was she able to master the instruction she received. One day the Buddha asked the Venerable ânanda, “ânanda, are your female lay disciples mastering the Law?” “Yes, Venerable.” “Which one learns thoroughly?” “Mallikà learns thoroughly, rehearses faithfully, and can understand thoroughly the instruction she receives. But your kinswoman does not learn thoroughly, nor does she rehearse faithfully, nor can she understand thoroughly the instruction she receives.” When the Buddha heard the monk’s reply, he said, “ânanda, as for the Dhamma I have preached, to one who is not faithful in hearing, learning, rehearsing, and preaching it, it is profitless, like a flower that possesses colour but lacks perfume. But to one who is faithful in hearing, learning, rehearsing, and preaching the law, it returns abundant fruit and manifold blessings.”
後來，國王再次遇到喬塔帕哩時，請他為兩位妻妾教導佛法，喬塔帕哩委婉的拒絕，並建議國王請佛陀另外派比丘擔任這份工作。佛陀就指定阿難固定到王宮，向皇后末利夫人和行雨夫人說法。後來，佛陀問阿難，兩位后妃的進展如何，阿難說，末利夫人認真修習，但行雨夫人卻不專心。
佛陀說，只有專心、敬謹、認真修行，並且精進奉行的人，才能得到佛法的法益。
While residing at the Jētavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke these Verses, with reference to the lay disciple Chattapàni and the two queens of King Pasēnadi of Kōsala.
At Sàvatthi lived a lay disciple named Chattapàni, versed in the Tripitaka, enjoying the fruit of the second path. Early one morning, in observance of fasting, he went to pay his respects to the Buddha. For those who enjoy the fruition of the second path and those who are noble disciples, by reason of their previous undertaking, they do not take upon themselves the obligations of fast-day. Such persons, solely by virtue of the Path, lead the holy life and eat but one meal a day. Therefore said the Buddha, “Great king, Ghañãkàra the potter eats but one meal a day, leads the holy life, is virtuous and upright.” Thus, as a matter of course, those who enjoy the fruition of the second path eat but one meal a day and lead the holy life.
Chattapàni also, thus observing the fast, approached the Buddha, paid obeisance to him, and sat down and listened to the Dhamma. Now at this time King Pasēnadi Kōsala also came to pay his respects to the Buddha. When Chattapàni saw him coming, he reflected, “Shall I rise to meet him or not?” He came to the following conclusion, “Since I am seated in the presence of the Buddha, I am not called upon to rise on seeing the king of one of his provinces. Even if he becomes angry, I will not rise. For if I rise on seeing the king, the king will be honoured, and not the Buddha. Therefore I will not rise.” Therefore Chattapàni did not rise. (Wise men never become angry when they see a man remain seated, instead of rising, in the presence of those of higher rank.)
But when King Pasēnadi saw that Chattapàni did not rise, his heart was filled with anger. However, he paid obeisance to the Buddha and sat down respectfully on one side. The Buddha, observing that he was angry, said to him, “Great king, this lay disciple Chattapàni is a wise man, knows the Dhamma, is versed in the Tripitaka, is contented both in prosperity and adversity.” Thus did the Buddha extol the lay disciple’s good qualities. As the king listened to the Buddha’s praise of the lay disciple, his heart softened.
Now one day after breakfast, as the king stood on the upper floor of his palace, he saw the lay disciple Chattapàni pass through the courtyard of the royal palace with a parasol in his hand and sandals on his feet.
Straightaway he caused him to be summoned before him. Chattapàni laid aside his parasol and sandals, approached the king, paid obeisance to him, and took his stand respectfully on one side. Said the king to Chattapàni, “Lay disciple, why did you lay aside your parasol and sandals?” “When I heard the words, ‘The king summons you,’ I laid aside my parasol and sandals before coming into his presence.” “Evidently, then, you have today learned that I am king.” “I always knew that you were king.” “If that be true, then why was it that the other day, when you were seated in the presence of the Buddha and saw me, did you not rise?”
“Great king, as I was seated in the presence of the Buddha, to have risen on seeing a king of one of his provinces, I should have shown disrespect for the Buddha. Therefore did I not rise.” “Very well, let bygones be bygones. I am told that you are well versed in matters pertaining to the present world and the world to come; that you are versed in the Tipitaka. Recite the Dhamma in our women’s quarters.” “I cannot, your majesty.”
“Why not?” “A king’s house is subject to severe censure. Improper and proper alike are grave matters in this case, your majesty.” “Say not so. The other day, when you saw me, you saw fit not to rise. Do not add insult to injury.” “Your majesty, it is a censurable act for householders to go about performing the functions of monks. Send for someone who is a monk and ask him to recite the Dhamma.”
The king dismissed him, saying, “Very well, sir, you may go.” Having so done, he sent a messenger to the Buddha with the following request, “Venerable, my consorts Mallikà and Vàsabhakhattiyà say, ‘We desire to master the Dhamma.’ Therefore come to my house regularly with five hundred monks and preach the Dhamma.” The Buddha sent the following reply, “Great king, it is impossible for me to go regularly to any one place.” In that case, Venerable, send some monk.” The Buddha assigned the duty to the Venerable ânanda. And the Venerable came regularly and recited the Dhamma to those queens. Of the two queens, Mallikà learned thoroughly, rehearsed faithfully, and heeded her teacher’s instruction. But Vàsabhakhattiyà did not learn thoroughly, nor did she rehearse faithfully, nor was she able to master the instruction she received. One day the Buddha asked the Venerable ânanda, “ânanda, are your female lay disciples mastering the Law?” “Yes, Venerable.” “Which one learns thoroughly?” “Mallikà learns thoroughly, rehearses faithfully, and can understand thoroughly the instruction she receives. But your kinswoman does not learn thoroughly, nor does she rehearse faithfully, nor can she understand thoroughly the instruction she receives.” When the Buddha heard the monk’s reply, he said, “ânanda, as for the Dhamma I have preached, to one who is not faithful in hearing, learning, rehearsing, and preaching it, it is profitless, like a flower that possesses colour but lacks perfume. But to one who is faithful in hearing, learning, rehearsing, and preaching the law, it returns abundant fruit and manifold blessings.”
☆☆☆
中文法句出處：《南傳法句經》 了參法師譯
中文故事出處：《法句經故事集》 達摩難陀長老著 周金言譯
