Publication of a text for which the Arahat nun Khemā was placed at the foremost levels of great wisdom, through her profound understanding of deep questions and her exposition of their meaning, which are recorded in this discourse.
Publication of Buddhist Wisdom Verses
Throughout 2009 and the early part of 2010 I worked on a text and translation of a collection of verses made by the Svejin Nikāya’s former Mahānāhimi, Ven. Rerukane Candavimala, who was one of the leading scholar monks in Sri Lanka in the 20th century. The Svejin Nikāya is my ordination sect, and Ven Rerukane…
True, Factual, Beneficial and Timely
The Buddha explains what factors need to be considered if we are to benefit others with our speech.
BWV 071: The Consequences of Listening to Slander
A jackal using slander sets two friends fighting, a bull and a lion, and eventually they kill each other. The jackal then eats their flesh. The King of men (the Bodhisatta) reflects on it in these verses addressed to his charioteer.
BWV 070: Deeds not Words Measure a Friend
A King of the geese is invited by the King of men to stay with him, but he declines with these words.
BWV 069: True Friends
The Bodhisatta is an ascetic who is invited by the King to stay in his park. After some time the King plots to kill him, and he decides to leave. When questioned why he is going this is his reply.
BWV 068: Friendship is more Valuable than Wealth
A rich man gives half his wealth to one fallen on hard times; but when he is in need himself the other offers him only rice gruel. He accepts it so as not to rebuff the obligations of friendship. Later the King hears about it and restores his wealth.
BWV 067: Reconciliation and Responsibility
A father and a younger brother argue along the road, and the Bodhisatta reproves them with these words.
BWV 066: Not Listening to Divisive Speech
A jackal tries to divide a lion and a tiger by sowing dissension so he can eat their flesh. They remain friends and the jackal flees.
BWV 065: Overstaying One’s Welcome
The Bodhisatta is an ascetic who is invited by the King to stay in his park. After some time the King plots to kill him, and he decides to leave.
BWV 064: Prudence in Giving
A royalist treats with kindness a great horseman – the King himself – who has been defeated in battle. The great horseman tells him if he comes to the city he will receive his reward. One day the man comes and the King gives him half his kingdom.
BWV 063: Not Deceiving One’s Friends
The King sends his charioteer to kill and bury his son (the Bodhisatta) whom he believes to be disabled and unlucky. The Bodhisatta appeals to the charioteer thus.
BWV 062: Ungratefulness gets its Just Desserts
A man lost in a forest is saved by a monkey, the Bodhisatta, who, tired out, lies down to rest. The man, who is hungry, tries to kill him with a rock but fails. He is struck with leprosy, dies and is reborn in hell.
BWV 061: Gratefulness and Moderation
The god of a Banyan tree gives presents to merchants, who out of greed decide to cut down the tree. Their chief protests with this verse, and is the only one spared retribution.
BWV 060: Four True Friends
A god approaches and asks four questions regarding friends and this is the Buddha’s reply.
BWV 059: True Friends
BWV 058: The True Friend
BWV 057: Friends, Bad and Good
The Buddha explains to the young man Sigāla how to distinguish bad friends and good friends.
BWV 056: The 16 Qualities of Foes and Friends
The Bodhisatta explains to King Brahmadatta the sixteen qualities of a foe, and the sixteen qualities of a friend.
