Dhammapada verse #109

好樂敬禮者，常尊於長老，四法得增長：壽美樂與力。

For one of respectful nature
who ever the elders honours,
long life and beauty, joy and strength,
these qualities increase.

☆☆☆

【第109偈的故事】

從前，有兩位隱士共同居住在一起，並且一起修習苦行多年。後來，其中一位還俗，並且結了婚。當他的兒子出生後，他們夫妻兩人便帶著兒子去拜訪仍在苦行的隱士。這隱士看見他們時，對他們說：「願你們長命百歲！」但卻對男孩不說任何好話。他們十分困惑，問隱士為何對孩子保持沉默。隱士告訴他們這孩子只能再活七天，雖然他無法拯救孩子，但佛陀可能有辦法。

他們就帶著孩子去找佛陀。當兩人向佛陀頂禮問訊時，佛陀也只說：「願你們長命百歲！」而無言以對他們的孩子。佛陀知道男孩來日無多，為了防止孩子夭壽，佛陀吩咐他們在家門前搭起帳蓬，然後把孩子放在蓬內的床上。佛陀也派遣幾位比丘前去唸誦「護經」(註)七天。第七天，佛陀親自來到帳蓬，天神們也來了。這時候，一隻惡魔也在門口等待機會要奪走男孩的生命，但眾多天神繼續來臨，惡魔只好後退，讓出位子給天神們，結果，它只能站在離男孩很遠的地方。那天晚上，比丘們徹夜唸誦護經，男孩也因此獲救。第二天，男孩被人家從床上抱起來向佛陀致敬意，佛陀對男孩說：「願你長壽！」有人問佛陀，這孩子能活多久，佛陀說一百二十歲。因此人們就稱呼這孩子為亞育瓦達那（意思是長壽的孩子）。

男孩長大後，和他的朋友和信徒在國境內到處參訪。有一天，他們抵達祇樹給孤獨園時，園裏的比丘們認出他來，比丘就問佛陀說：「有沒有辦法使眾生長壽？」

佛陀說：「尊敬崇仰老者和智慧與德行兼備的人，可以讓人得到長壽、美貌、幸福和力量。」

註：「護經」是宗教偈語或經，如《慈經》或《寶經》，常常被唱誦以求保護，防止受傷害。

While residing in a village monastery near Dãghalanghika, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to âyuvaóóhanakumàra.

Once, there were two hermits who lived together practicing religious austerities for forty-eight years. Later, one of the two left the hermit life and got married. After a son was born, the family visited the old hermit and paid obeisance to him. To the parents the hermit said, “May you live long.” but he said nothing to the child. The parents were puzzled and asked the hermit the reason for his silence. The hermit told them that the child would live only seven more days and that he did not know how to prevent his death, but the Buddha might know how to do it.

So the parents took the child to the Buddha; when they paid obeisance to the Buddha, he also said, “May you live long” to the parents only and not to the child. The Buddha also predicted the impending death of the child. To prevent his death, the parents were told to build a pavilion at the entrance to the house, and put the child on a couch in the pavilion. Then some monks were sent there to recite the parittàs (protective chants) for seven days. On the seventh day the Buddha himself came to that pavilion; the dēvas from all over the universe also came. At that time the evil spirit Avaruddhaka was at the entrance, waiting for a chance to take the child away. But as more powerful dēvas arrived the evil spirit had to step back and make room for them so that he had to stay at a place two leagues away from the child. That whole night, recitation of parittàs continued, thus protecting the child. The next day, the child was taken up from the couch and made to pay obeisance to the Buddha. This time, the Buddha said “May you live long” to the child. When asked how long the child would live, the Buddha replied that he would live up to one hundred and twenty years. So the child was named âyuvaóóhana.

When the child grew up, he went about the country with a company of five hundred fellow devotees. One day, they came to the Jētavana Monastery, and the monks, recognizing him, asked the Buddha, “For beings is there any means of gaining longevity?” To this question the Buddha answered, “By respecting and honouring the elders and those who are wise and virtuous, one would gain not only longevity, but also beauty, happiness and strength.”

☆☆☆

English source: "Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada" by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
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

Dhammapada verse #108

若人於世間，施捨或供養，求福一週年，如是諸功德，不及四分一，禮敬正直者。

Whatever one who merit seeks
should for a year make sacrifice,
all comes not to a quarter part
of honouring the Noble.

☆☆☆

【第108偈的故事】

有一次，舍利弗問一位婆羅門的朋友，有沒有做過任何的功德，他朋友回答說，他長久以來都提供大量的祭祀犧牲，希望來生能往生梵天。

舍利弗告訴朋友說，他的老師們一直教導他虛幻的希望，他的老師們根本不知道往生梵天的方法。舍利弗就引導他去見佛陀，請佛陀教他往生梵天的方法。

佛陀說：「婆羅門，即使僅是頃刻間頂禮聖者，也比整年度所供奉的大大小小祭祀犧牲，要來得好。」

While residing at the Vēluvana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to a friend of Venerable Sàriputta.

The Venerable approached him and asked him, “Bràhmin, do you ever do a single good deed?” “Yes, Venerable.”

“What do you do?” “I offer sacrificial slaughter.’ (At that time, we are told, it was the custom to offer sacrificial slaughter at an expenditure of immense sums of money.)

The Venerable, after questioning his companion in that manner, conducted him to the Buddha, informed him of the incident, and said to him, “Venerable, tell this man the way to the World of Brahma.”

The Buddha asked him, “Bràhmin, are you correctly reported?” “Yes,” replied the bràhmin.

“Bràhmin, though you should offer sacrificial slaughter for a year, yet would your act not be worth the fourth part of the act of him who, with believing heart, gives alms on the people, or of those who, with good intention, render homage to my disciples.”

☆☆☆

English source: "Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada" by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
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

Dhammapada verse #107

若人一百年──事火於林中，不如須臾間，供養修己者，彼如是供養，勝祭祀百年。

One might tend for a hundred years
the forest’s sacred fire,
but if for only a moment one
might honour the self-developed,
such honour were better by far
than centuries of sacrifice.

☆☆☆

【第107偈的故事】

舍利弗的侄子是一位婆羅門。有一次，舍利弗問他，有沒有做過任何的功德。他的侄子回答說，他每個月都在火祭中犧牲一隻羊，期望將來能往生梵天。舍利弗告訴他說，他的老師們一直給他錯誤的教法，他的老師們根本不知如何往生梵天。

然後，舍利弗引領侄子去見佛陀，佛陀就教他確實可以往生梵天的佛法，並告訴他說：「頃刻之間，頂禮真正的聖人比火祭犧牲一百年好。」

註：「火祭」在當時的伊朗和印度相當流行。部份人認為火是神祇之一。有些人認為透過火祭，他們可以討好神祇，而得到賜福和保護。另外，動物祭祀和在恆河中沐浴也很普遍。佛陀是當時唯一指出這些方法都是無益的宗教師 。

While residing at the Vēluvana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to Venerable Sàriputta’s nephew.

For the Venerable went to his nephew also and said, “Bràhmin, do you ever do a single good deed?” “Yes, Venerable.”

“What do you do?” “Month after month, I slay a single beast and tend the sacrificial fire.”

“For what purpose do you do that?” “That, they say, is the way to the World of Brahma.”

“Who told you so?” “My teachers, Venerable.”

“Neither you nor your teachers know the way to the World of Brahma. Come, let us go to the Buddha.”

So Venerable Sàriputta conducted his nephew to the Buddha, informed the Buddha of the incident, and said to him, “Venerable, tell this man the way to the world of the Brahma.”

Said the Buddha, “Bràhmin, are you correctly reported?” “Yes, Venerable.”

“Bràhmin, though you should thus tend the sacrificial fire for a hundred years, yet would the merit of your performance not attain the worth of honour done to my disciple for even a single instant.”

☆☆☆

English source: "Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada" by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
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

Dhammapada verse #106

月月投千（金）──供犧牲百年，不如須臾間，供養修己者，彼如是供養，勝祭祀百年。

Month by month for a hundred years
a thousand one might sacrifice,
but if for only a moment one
might honour the self-developed,
such honour were better by far
than century of sacrifice.

☆☆☆

【第106偈的故事】

舍利弗的叔叔是一位婆羅門，有一次，舍利弗問他，有沒有做過任何的功德。他的叔叔回答說，他每個月供養裸身的苦行者，希望將來能往生梵天。舍利弗告訴他說，他的老師們並不了解往生梵天的方法。說完後，舍利弗更引領叔叔去見佛陀，並請求佛陀開示確實可以使人往生梵天的佛法。

佛陀向舍利弗的叔叔說：「供養一湯匙的食物給真正的聖人，比你供養那些不值得供養的人更好。」

While residing at the Vēluvana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to a bràhmin, who was the maternal uncle of Venerable Sàriputta.

Venerable Sàriputta once went to his uncle and said, “Bràhmin, do you ever do a single good deed?” “I do, Venerable.”

“What do you do?” “Month after month, I give alms to the value of a thousand pieces of money.”

“To whom do you give this money?” “To the naked ascetics, Venerable.”

“And what do you hope to gain thereby?” “I hope to gain the world of Brahma.”

“But is this the way to reach the World of Brahma?” “Yes, Venerable.”

“Who told you so?” “My teachers told me so, Venerable.”

“Bràhmin, neither you nor your teachers know the way to the World of Brahma. The Buddha alone knows the way thereto. Come with me, and I will ask him to tell you the way to the world of Brahma.”

So Venerable Sàriputta took his uncle with him, went to the Buddha, and told him all about it, saying, “Venerable, this Bràhmin said so and so. Be so good as to tell him the way to the World of Brahma.”

The Buddha asked, “Bràhmin, are you correctly reported?” “Yes, Venerable.”

“Bràhmin, though you should give alms in this way for a hundred years, yet were it far more fruitful for a man, with believing heart, for but a single instant to look upon my disciple or to bestow upon him a mere spoonful of boiled rice.”

☆☆☆

English source: "Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada" by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
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

Dhammapada verse # 104 ~ 105

能克制自己，過於勝他人。若有克己者，常行自節制。

Greater the conquest of oneself
than subjugating others,
that one who’s always self-restrained,
that one who’s tamed of self .


天神乾闥婆，魔王並梵天，皆遭於敗北，不能勝彼人。

Neither deva nor minstrel divine,
nor Mara together with Brahma,
can overthrow the victory
of such a one as this.

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【第104 - 105偈的故事】

一位婆羅門告訴佛陀：「尊者，我認為你只知有法益的修行，對無益的事一無所知。」佛陀說他也了解無益且有害的事。佛陀就列舉六種會消耗財產的行為：
(1) 太陽高掛了才起床 (2) 疏懶成性 (3) 殘暴 (4) 沉溺毒品(尤其指酒) 而昏醉迷糊 (5) 在惹人懷疑的時間內，獨自在街上閒逛 (6) 邪淫。

佛陀接著問這婆羅門如何維生，婆羅門回答說以賭博維生 (註)。佛陀再問他輸贏情形，當婆羅門回答說有輸有贏時，佛陀說：「在賭博中獲勝，無法與克服煩惱的成就相比。」

備註：在《敗亡經》中，佛陀說賭博是造成人墮落的原因之一。

While residing at the Jētavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke these verses, with reference to the bràhmin Anatthapucchaka.

On one occasion, a bràhmin by the name of Anatthapucchaka, came to the Buddha and said to him, “Venerable, I think that you know only the practices that are beneficial and not the practices that are not beneficial.” To him, the Buddha answered that he also knew the practices which were not beneficial and harmful. Then the Buddha enumerated six practices which cause dissipation of wealth; they are: (1) sleeping until the sun has risen, (2) habitual idleness, (3) cruelty, (4) indulgence in intoxicants which cause drunkenness and negligence, (5) sauntering alone in streets at unearthly hours, and (6) sexual misconduct.

When the bràhmin heard this, he applauded the Buddha, saying, ‘Well said, well said, teacher of the multitude, leader of the multitude! You know indeed both gain and loss.” “Indeed, bràhmin, there is none other that knows loss so well as I”. Then the Buddha considered within himself what motive actuated the bràhmin, and asked him, “Bràhmin, how do you make your living?” “By gambling, Venerable.” “But who wins, you or the other man?” “Sometimes I win and sometimes the other man wins.” Then said the Buddha, “Bràhmin, a trifling matter is the victory of him who defeats another; there is no superior advantage in such a victory. But he who overcomes his depravities and so conquers self, wins a better victory, for such a victory no one can turn into defeat.”

☆☆☆

English source: "Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada" by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
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

Dhammapada verse # 102 ~ 103

彼誦百句偈，若無義理者，不如一法句，聞已得寂靜。

Though a thousand verses chant
composed of meaningless lines,
better the single Dhamma-line
one hears, then comes to calm.


彼於戰場上，雖勝百萬人；未若克己者，戰士之最上！

Though thousand times a thousand
in battle one may conquer,
yet should one conquer just oneself
one is the greatest conqueror.

☆☆☆

【第102 - 103偈的故事】

拘達娜是舍衛城裡一位富翁的女兒，一直過著平靜、深居簡出的日子。但是有一天，她看見一位將要被處決的小偷時，剎那間就愛上他了。從此以後她拒絕吃飯，除非能嫁給他，否則她也不願活下去。

拘達娜的父母只好向國王的官員行賄，換取小偷的生命，然後將她嫁給他。雖然她非常愛他，但他卻只愛她的財富。有一天，他說服她把所有的首飾裝戴在身上，然後告訴她，他想供養山靈，答謝它們在他生命危險的時候拯救他。說完後，他就帶她往山頂上走去。但是他們抵達山頂時，他卻說要殺了她，以便佔有她的首飾。她懇求他只拿走首飾，而饒她一命，但他悍然拒絕。這時候，她明白若不除去他，自己非死不可，所以必需謹慎、機智應付。她於是告訴他，既然他們只能再相處幾分鐘，她想最後一次向他頂禮，說著，她就繞著他緩緩的走，並趁機從他的背後把他推下山去。

住在山頂的天神目睹整個事件的過程後，鼓掌讚許她的作為，並且說：「不只男性有智慧，女性也能具足智慧，並且在今生今世就展現智慧！」

經過這件事情後，她不想再回家了，就把所有的首飾掛在樹上，然後一個人到處流浪，也不知道究竟該到那裡去。後來，她碰巧來到女遊行外道居住的地方，就成為她們其中的一員。她們教她所有的詭辯技巧。由於聰穎，她在很短的時間內就完全掌握其中的訣竅。這時候，這些女遊行外道就告訴她四處去雲遊，她們也告訴她，如果有人能夠回答她的所有詰問，就拜此人為師。從此以後，她就到國內所有地方去雲遊，公開向所有的人挑戰。很多著名的人士接受她的挑戰，但沒有人駁倒她。

最後，她來到舍衛城。進城之前，她一如往常，把一隻樹枝插在一土堆上，公開挑戰所有人。舍利弗尊者接受她的挑戰，她詢問舍利弗非常多的問題，而舍利弗也一一加以解答。問完之後，輪到舍利弗發問，他只問她一句話：「“一”是什麼？」(註1) 她卻張口結舌，無法回答，就央請舍利弗解釋它的涵意。舍利弗建議她先出家為比丘尼，她也信守諾言地服從舍利弗的建議，正信出家為比丘尼，並且精進奉行舍利弗的教導，而在幾天之內就證得阿羅漢果。

後來，有些比丘針對此事請教佛陀：「拘達娜比丘尼真的可能在只聽聞少許的法義就證得阿羅漢果嗎？」

佛陀說：「比丘們！不要以多少來判斷法義，一句法義比一百句毫無意義的言語更發人深省。」

註１：眾生只需要一件東西來維持生命：食物 。

While residing at the Jētavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke these verses with reference to Nun Kunóalakēsã.

A rich merchant of Ràjagaha had an only daughter who was about sixteen years of age, and she was exceedingly beautiful and fair to see. Her mother and father lodged her on the topmost floor of a seven-storied palace in an apartment of royal splendor, and gave her only a single slave-woman to wait upon her. Now one day a young man of station was caught in the act of robbery. They bound his hands behind his back and led him to the place of execution, scourging him with lashes at every cross-road. The merchant’s daughter heard the shouts of the crowd, said to herself, “What is that?” looked down from the top of the palace, and saw him. Straightaway she fell in love with him. So great, in fact, was her longing for him that she took to her bed and refused to eat. Her mother asked her, “What does this mean, my dear daughter?” If I can have that young man who was caught in the act of committing robbery and who was led through the streets, life will be worth living; if not, life is not worth living; I shall die here and now.” The mother, unable to pacify her daughter, told the father; but the father likewise was unable to pacify his daughter. “What is to be done?” thought he. He sent a thousand pieces of money to the king’s officer who had captured the robber and who was accompanying him to the place of execution, saying, “Take this money and send the robber to me.” “Very well!” said the king’s officer. He took the money, released the robber, had another man put to death, and sent word to the king, “The robber has been executed, your majesty.”

The merchant gave his daughter in marriage to the robber. She resolved to win favour of her husband; and from that time on, adorned with all her adornments, she prepared her husband’s meals with her own hand. After a few days the robber thought to himself, “When can I kill this woman, take her jewels and sell them, and so be able to take my meals in a certain tavern? This is the way!” He took to his bed and refused to eat. She came to him and asked, “Are you in pain?” “Not at all, wife.” “Then perhaps my mother and father are angry with you?” “They are not angry with me, wife.” “What is the matter, then?” “Wife, that day when I was bound and led through the streets, I saved my life by vowing and offering to the deity that lives on Robbers’ Cliff; likewise it was through his supernatural power that I gained you for my wife. I was wondering how I could fulfill my vow of an offering to the deity.” “Husband, do not worry; I will see to the offering; tell me what is needed.” “Rich rice porridge, flavoured with honey; and the five kinds of flowers, including the làjà flower.” “Very well, husband, I will make ready the offering.” Having prepared the whole offering, she said to her husband, “Come, husband, let us go”. “Very well, wife; let your kinsmen remain behind; put on your costly garments and adorn yourself with your precious jewels, and we will go gaily, laughing and enjoying ourselves.” She did as she was told. But when they reached their destination, he said to her, I have no use for the offering; I deceived you in bringing you here with an offering.” “Then why did you bring me here, husband?” “To kill you, seize your jewels, and escape.” Terrified with the fear of death, she said to him, “Husband, both my jewels and my person belong to you; why do you speak thus?” Over and over again she pleaded with him, “Do not do this;” but his only reply was, I will kill you.” “After all, what will you gain by killing me? Take these jewels and spare my life.” She thought to herself, “Oh, what a wicked deed is this! However, wisdom was not made to be cooked and eaten, but rather to make men look before they leap. I shall find a way of dealing with him.” And she said to him, “Husband, when they caught you in the act of committing robbery and led you through the streets, I told my mother and father, and they spent a thousand pieces of money in ransoming you, and they gave you a place in their house, and from that time on I have been your benefactress; today do me the favour of letting me pay obeisance to you.” “Very well, wife,” said he, granted her the favour of paying obeisance to him, and then took his stand near the edge of the cliff. She walked around him three times, keeping him on her right hand, and paid obeisance to him in the four places. Then she said to him, “Husband, this is the last time I shall see you. Henceforth you will see me no more, neither shall I see you any more.” And she embraced him both before and behind. Then, remaining behind him, as he stood off his guard near the edge of the cliff, she put one hand to his shoulder and the other to the small of his back, and flung him over the cliff. Thus was the robber hurled into the abyss of the mountain, and dashed to pieces when he reached the bottom. Having thrown the robber over the cliff, she came to a certain hermitage of nuns. She reverently bowed and said, “Sister, receive me into your order as a nun.” So they received her as a nun.

When she had mastered the thousand articles of faith, they said to her, “You have acquired proficiency; now go throughout the length and breadth of Jambudãpa and look for some one able to match question and answer with you.” So, placing a branch of rose-apple in her hands, they dismissed her with these words, “Go forth, sister; if any one who is a layman is able to match question and answer with you, become his slave; if any monk, enter his Sangha as a nun.” No one was able to match question and answer with her; in fact, such a reputation did she acquire that whenever men heard the announcement, “Here comes the ‘Nun of the Rose-Apple,’” they would run away.

Before entering a town or village for alms, she would scrape a pile of sand together before the village gate and there plant her rose-apple branch. Then she would issue her challenge, “Let him that is able to match question and answer with me trample this rose-apple branch under his feet.” So saying, she would enter the village. No one dared to pass beyond that spot. When one branch withered, she would procure a fresh one. Traveling about in this way, she arrived at Sàvatthi, planted the branch before the city gate, issued her challenge in the usual way, and went in to seek alms. A number of young boys gathered about the branch and waited to see what would happen. Then the Venerable Sàriputta said, “Go ahead, boys, trample that branch under your feet.”

When the nun returned, she asked, “Venerable, did you tell them to trample my branch under their feet?” “Yes, sister.” “Well then, match question and answer with me.” “Very well, I will do so.”

The nun said to the Venerable, “Venerable, I wish to ask you a question.” “Ask it, sister.” So she asked him the thousand articles of faith. Every question the nun asked, the Venerable answered correctly. Then he said to her, “I will ask you just one; will you answer me?” “Ask your question, Venerable.” Then the Venerable asked her, “What is one?” She said to herself, “This is a question I should be able to answer,” but not knowing the answer, she inquired of the Venerable, “What is it, Venerable?” “This is the Buddha’s question, sister.” “Tell me also the answer, Venerable.” “If you will enter our Sangha, I will tell you the answer.” “Very well, admit me to the Sangha.” The Venerable sent word to the nuns and had her admitted. After being admitted to the Sangha, she made it her full profession, took the name Kunóalakēsã, and after a few days became an arahat endowed with the supernatural faculties.

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English source: "Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada" by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
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

Dhammapada verse #101

雖誦千句偈，若無義理者，不如一句偈，聞已得寂靜。

Though a thousand verses be
composed of meaningless lines,
better the single line of verse
one hears, then comes to calm.

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【第101偈的故事】

一群商人共同搭船出海，不幸發生海難，除了一人以外，所有人都喪生了。這唯一活命的人抓住一片木板，最後漂流到輸帕羅卡港。上岸後，他用一片樹皮遮住身子，坐在人們可以看得見的地方。有些過往的行人給他食物，有些人則以為他是聖者，而向他致敬。另外有人給他衣服穿，但他卻不接受，因為他害怕穿上衣服以後，人們會降低對他的敬意。同時，有些人認為他是阿羅漢，他也就自以為是阿羅漢。因此，人們稱呼他「婆醯迦達如斯亞」。

大約在這時候，大梵天曾是他某一世的朋友看見婆醯迦誤入歧途，覺得引導他回正道是自己的責任，所以在晚上時候，大梵天就去找婆醯迦，並告訴他：「婆醯迦！你還不是阿羅漢，更重要的是，你還沒有成為阿羅漢的德行。」婆醯迦聽完大梵天的話，抬起頭來：「是啊！我必須承認，正如你所說的，我不是阿羅漢。我現在明白自己犯了大錯。但是，究竟在這世間上，誰是阿羅漢？」大梵天就勸告他去舍衛城，請佛陀助他一臂之力。

婆醯迦明白自己犯了大錯，非常沮喪，就直接到舍衛城去見佛陀。後來，他看見佛陀和比丘們正在化緣，就很恭敬地跟上去，請求佛陀教他佛法，佛陀告訴他，現在正在化緣，不是說法的時間。

「尊者！沒有人瞭解你我生命中的危險，所以請教我佛法吧！」婆醯迦繼續懇求。

佛陀知道婆醯迦剛才長途跋涉，驟然得遇佛陀，內心正雀躍不已，所以無法立刻接受佛法。佛陀不願在這種情況下立即向他說法，而希望等他內心平靜下來時，再向他說法，他也才能心領神會。但婆醯迦仍契而不捨地懇請，佛陀只好站在路上對他說：

「婆醯迦！當你看東西的時候，就只看見那件東西；聽聲音的時候，就只聽見那聲音；聞、嚐、觸任何東西時，就只是聞、嚐和觸那東西；想事情時，就全神想那件事情。」

婆醯迦如法奉行，同時因為全神貫注，他的過去善業現前，而證得阿羅漢果。他於是懇請佛陀允許他加入僧伽，佛陀要他先準備三衣、缽和比丘必備的東西。但當他出去籌備的時候，卻被一隻動物攻擊致死。後來，佛陀和比丘進食完畢後，在路上發現婆醯迦的屍體。佛陀要比丘們把他的屍體火化，把遺物供養在浮圖中。

回到祇樹給孤獨園時，佛陀說婆醯迦已經證入涅槃。佛陀並且說婆醯迦是最快證得神通的人。比丘對佛陀的說法感到困惑，就問佛陀，婆醯迦在何時、如何證得阿羅漢果。佛陀說：「婆醯迦在路上聽我說法時，就證得阿羅漢果。」比丘卻懷疑怎麼可能只聽幾句法語就能證得阿羅漢果。佛陀說：「法句或說法時間的長短與證果快慢無關。」

While residing at the Jētavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to Bàhiyadàrucãriya.

A group of merchants went out to sea in a boat; their boat was wrecked at sea and all, except one, died. The only survivor got hold of a plank and eventually came to land at the port of Suppàraka. As he was naked, he tied a piece of bark to his body, got hold of a bowl, and sat in a place where people could see him. Passers-by gave him rice and gruel; some thought that he was a holy man and paid respects to him. Some brought clothes for him to wear but he refused, fearing that by wearing clothes, people would give less respect to him. Besides, because some said that he was an arahat, he mistakenly came to think that he realy was one. Thus, because he was a man of wrong views who was wearing a piece of bark as his clothing, he came to be known as Bàhiyadàrucãriya. Mahàbrahma came to him in the night and said to him, “Bàhiya, you are not an arahat yet, and what is more, you do not have the qualities that make one an arahat.” Bàhiya looked up at Mahàbrahma and said, “Yes, I must admit that I am not an arahat, as you have said. I now realize that I have done a great wrong. But is there anyone else in this world now who is an arahat (a perfected person)?” Mahàbrahma then told him that there lived in Sàvatthi a Teacher, Gōtama Buddha, an arahat, who was perfectly self-enlightened.

Bàhiya found the Buddha going on an alms-round with other monks and respectfully followed him. He pleaded with the Buddha to teach him the Dhamma, but the Buddha replied that since they were on an alms-round it was not yet time for a religious discourse. And again, Bàhiya pleaded, “Venerable, one cannot know the danger to your life or to my life, so please talk to me about the Dhamma.” The Buddha knew that Bàhiya had made the journey of one hundred and twenty yōjanas in one night, and also that he was overwhelmed with joy at seeing the Buddha. That was why the Buddha did not want to talk about the Dhamma immediately but wanted him to calm down to enable him to take in the Dhamma properly. Still, Bàhiya persistently pleaded. So, while standing on the road, the Buddha said to Bàhiya, “Bàhiya, when you see an object, be conscious of just the visible object; when you hear a sound, be conscious of just the sound; when you smell or taste or touch something, be conscious of just the smell, the taste or the touch; and when you think of anything, be conscious of just the mind-object.”

After hearing the above discourse, Bàhiya attained arahatship and he asked permission from the Buddha to join the Sangha. The Buddha told him to get the robes, the bowl and other requisites of a monk. On his way to get them, he was gored to death by a cow which was, in fact, a female evil spirit in the likeness of a cow. When the Buddha and the other monks came out after having had their meal, they found Bàhiya lying dead on a rubbish heap. As instructed by the Buddha, the monks cremated the body of Bàhiya and had his bones enshrined in a ståpa. Back at the Jētavana Monastery, the Buddha told the monks that Bàhiya had realized Nibbàna. He also told them that as far as speed was concerned in attaining Magga Insight (abhinnà) Bàhiya was the fastest, the best (ētadaggaü). The monks were puzzled by the statement made by the Buddha and they asked him why and when Bàhiya became an Arahat. To this, the Buddha replied, “Bàhiya attained arahatship while he listened to my instructions given to him on the road when we were on the alms-round.” The monks wondered how one could attain arahatship after listening to just a few sentences of the Dhamma. So, the Buddha told them that the number of words or the length of a speech did not matter if it was beneficial to someone.

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English source: "Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada" by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
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