Blessing and Joy for Majority

The honoured Mahà Kaccàna once resided at Madhurà, in the Gundhà forest, who taught Bhikkhus.

When thieves and robbers became strong, Bhikkhus, while crowned heads were weak; At that time, it was not too safe for people who had to go working outside. So too, Bhikkhus, when the cruel Bhikkhus became strong while the pure Bhikkhus were weak. Bhikkhus, at that time the pure Bhikkhus kept the silent attitude, or hid among the assembly of Bhikkhus, or went to the border land of country. And so, Bhikkhus, it was a grief, unrest, usefulness for majority and also a tribulation, suffering for Devas and human beings.

Bhikkhus, when crowned heads were powerful while thieves and robber became feeble; At that time, it was really safe for persons who had to go working outside. So too, Bhikkhus, when the pure Bhikkhus were powerful while the harsh Bhikkhus became feeble. Bhikkhus, At that time, the harsh Bhikkhus kept the silent attitude, or hid among the other Bhikkhus, or came to the border land of country. And thus, Bhikkhus, it was happy, peaceful, useful for majority, and also delightful and blissful for Devas and human beings.

(ĐTKVN, Anguttara I, Chapter 2, Unit of balanced mind, section of Earth [briefly], VNCPHVN published, 1996, page 130)

Comment

Generally speaking, the monks' mission is to perfect themselves simultaneously contribute to bring the bliss and happiness to Devas and all beings. However, the mission is only executed and perfectible when the Sangha is pure, having the power to gather up everybody to leave the wrong path for the right one, with one mind to take refuge in direction of Dharma in order to serve the Triple Jewels.

To a country, the population will settle down if the leader is exemplary, the law is strict and clear, security and order are held tight, no thieves and robbers and no other social evils which stalk the land. Likewise to the assembly of bhikkhus, when most members of that assembly are pure, they fold the minority who are impure in their arms, surely that dwelling place will be peaceful and stable.

At the time of The Blessed One, there were several assemblies of monks who lived in separate dwelling places once showed that cruel monks who were powerful, they won superiority and bullied the true monks to such an extent that they had to keep silent or hiding. Though these assemblies of cruel monks were gathered into a mass of strength, according to The Blessed One it was still a grief, unrest and usefulness for majority.

Therefore, to assemblies of bhikkhus, the outward appearance which does not show something, except the influential and monumental form going abreast of purity, genuineness of headmonks and all members in those assemblies; to be so, these assemblies truly bring the joy and happiness to Devas and sentient beings.

Translated into English by Ms. Giac Ngoc.

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