WITHOUT THE MIND THIS BODY IS AS WORTHLESS AS DRY WOODThe Story of Tissa, the Monk with a Stinking Body (Verse 3.10:41)

WITHOUT THE MIND THIS BODY IS AS WORTHLESS AS DRY WOOD

The Story of Tissa, the Monk with a Stinking Body (Verse 3.10:41) 

Place: Jétavana

After receiving Dhamma from the Buddha, monk Tissa was diligently practicing meditation. Once he got afflicted with a disease due to which he developed small boils all over his body. Soon he developed big sores all over. When these sores burst, his upper and lower robes became sticky and stained with body fluids, and his body started stinking. For this reason, he was addressed as Monk Putigatta-Tissa (meaning: Monk Tissa –the Thera with a stinking body). 

Tathagata Buddha always surveyed the world twice a day with his divine vision. At dawn, he surveys the world, looking from place he lived called the perfumed chamber. He saw the Venerable Putigatta-Tissa and his suffering condition. The Buddha, was aware that monk Tissa was ripe for arahatship. Buddha also realised that “This monk has been abandoned by his associates; at the present time he has no other refuge than me.” Accordingly the Buddha left perfumed chamber, and pretending to be making the rounds of the monastery, went to the hall where the fire was kept. He cleaned the boiler for the water to boil. Once the water was hot enough he took hold of the end of the Tissa’s bed where that monk was lying. When other monks saw the Buddha, they prayed, Venerable; we will carry him out for you.” So saying, they took up the bed and carried Tissa into the fire-room. The Buddha asked the monks to take Tissa’s upper garment, wash it thoroughly in hot water, and lay it outside in the sun to dry. Then he went, and taking his stand near Tissa, moistened his body with warm water and bathed him. 

When his upper garment was dry. The Buddha removed Tissa’s upper garment and washed his undergarments thoroughly in hot water and laid in the sun to dry. There upon he dressed up Tissa with body refreshed and mind tranquil, lay down on the bed. The Buddha took his stand at Tissa’s pillow and said to him, “Monk, consciousness will depart from you, your body will become useless and, like a log, lying on the ground.” At the end of the discourse monk Tissa attained arahatship together with analytical in- sight, and soon passed away. 

Message: Soon, this body, without consciousness will be discarded like a decayed worthless log, will lie on the earth. It will be of no use to anyone. Once consciousness is gone, without life, our body is useless. Listening this from the Buddha Putigatta-Tissa Thera got the enlightenment the and there.