Academic Sutta Name Notes PSA Plae Vagga Nikaya PTS Keywords
DhA.

XX:8 The old monks and the old woman

Once in Savatthi, there were five friends who became bhikkhus only in their old age. These five bhikkhus were in the habit of going together to their old homes for almsfood. Of their former wives, one lady in particular was a good cook and she looked after them well. Thus, the five bhikkhus went mostly to her house. But one day she fell ill and died suddenly. The old bhikkhus felt their loss very deeply and together they cried praising her virtues and lamenting their loss.

The Buddha admonished them, 'Bhikkhus! You all are feeling pain and sorrow because you are not free from greed, hatred and ignorance (raga, dosa, moha), which are like a great forest. Cut down this forest and you will be freed from these mental impurities.'

55/170 Dhammapada & Commentary Khuddhaka J.i.106ff. despair


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Last modified on: Sunday, 13 August 2000.