PROTECTED MIND LEADS TO HAPPINESSThe Story of a Businessman’s Son turned Monk (3.4:36) ||Verse 36||

PROTECTED MIND LEADS TO HAPPINESS

The Story of a Businessman’s Son turned Monk (3.4:36) ||Verse 36|| 

Once while residing in the Jétavan Monastery at Savatthi, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to a young monk, who was also the son of a banker. 

Once a certain banker’s son approached an elder who resorted to his house for alms and said to him, “Venerable, I desire to obtain my release from the suffering. Tell me some way by which I can obtain this.” The elder replied, “Peace be unto you, brother. If you desire release from suffering, give fortnightly alms-food and lodging, give lodging during the season of the rains, give bowls and robes and the other requisites to Bhikshus. Divide your possessions into three parts: with one portion carry on your business; with another portion support son and wife; dispense the third portion in alms to the followers of the path shown by the Buddha.” 

“Very well, Venerable,” said the banker’s son, and did all what was told to him by the Elder. Having done it, he returned to the elder and asked him, “Venerable, is there anything else I ought to do?” “Brother, take upon yourself the three-refuges and the five-precepts.” The banker’s son did so, and then asked whether there was anything else he ought to do. “Yes,” replied the elder, “Take upon yourself the ten-precepts.” “Very well, Venerable,” said the banker’s son, and took upon himself the ten precepts. Because the banker’s son had in this manner performed works of merit, one after another, he came to be called Anupubba. Again he asked the elder, “Venerable ,is there anything else I ought to do?” The elder replied, “Yes, become a monk.” The banker’s son immediately became a monk. 

Now, he had a teacher, who was versed in the Abhidhamma and a preceptor who was well-versed in the Vinaya. After he had made a full conversion, whenever he approached his teacher, the latter repeated questions found in the Abhidhamma, “In the teachings (dhamma) of the Buddha it is lawful to do this, it is unlawful to do that.” And whenever he approached his preceptor, the latter repeated questions found in the Vinaya, “In the Religion of the Buddha it is lawful to do this, it is unlawful to do that; this is proper, that is improper.” 

After a time he thought to himself, “Oh what a wearisome task this is! I became a monk in order to obtain release from suffering, but here there is not even room for me to stretch out my hands. It is possible, however, to obtain release from suffering, even if one lives the householder’s. I should become a householder once more.” 

The Buddha said, “Monk, are you discontented?” “Yes, Venerable, I became a monk in order to obtain release from suffering. But here there is not even room for me to stretch my hands. It is possible for me to obtain release from suffering as a householder.” The Buddha said, “Monk, if you can guard one thing, it will not be necessary for you to guard the rest.” “What is that, Venerable?” “Can you guard your thoughts?” “I can, Venerable.” “Then guard your thoughts alone.” 

Final Comment (Verse 36) 

The mind moves about so fast it is difficult to get hold of it fully. It is swift. It has a way of focussing upon whatever it likes. It is good and of immense advantage to tame the mind. The tamed mind brings bliss.