The importance of practising the Dhamma

by Premasara Epasinghe

Once when the Buddha was residing at the Jetavanarama monastery, he uttered the following words to Ven. Ananda, his personal attendant and Dharmabandagarika. “Ananda, I have preached my doctrine. If one is not committed to listening, rehearsing and preaching it to others it is of no use, such as a flower that possesses colour but lacks a good fragrance. If a person listens, rehearses and preaches the Dhamma, it will bring many blessings. “The Buddha also recited the following stanza:

Yathapi Ruciram Puppham
Vannavantam Sagandhakam
Evam Subhasita Vaca

Saphala Hoti Sakubbato – Dhammapada Verse 52 (Puppha Vasge Flowers)

The Buddha expressed these sentiments relating to two queens, Mallika and Vasabhakhattiya, of King Pasenadi Kosala. During that time, there lived a lay disciple Chattapani, a scholar who was well versed in the Tripitaka.

Courtesy call

One day, Chattapani visited the Buddha and listened to his discourse. King Pasenadi Kosala paid a courtesy call on the Buddha. As Chattapani was seated in front of the Buddha, he did not get up when the king arrived.

The king became angry with Chattapani for not paying him due respect. However, after the Buddha introduced Chattapani to the king, his heart softened.

On another day, Chattapani was passing through the court yard with a parasol and wearing sandles. Seeing the king, he laid the parasol aside, removed his sandals and honoured the king.

He said that on the other day, he did not stand and respect the king because he thought it would have been a disrespect to the Buddha. Pasenadi Kosala said, “Chattapani, let bygones be bygones. You are well versed in the Tripitaka.

Recite the Dhamma to our queens. Chattapani, however, politely refused to do so and said, “Oh! Your Majesty, this is a function of Bhikkhus!.

King Pasenadi Kosala sent an emissary to the Buddha saying that his two chief consorts Mallika and Vasabhakattiya were desirous of learning the dhamma and to send 50 Bhikkhus regularly to the palace.

The Buddha said it was impossible to do so and assigned Ven Ananda to recite Dhamma to Mallika and Vasabhakhattiya.

After sometime, the Buddha, inquired about the progress of the two queens. Ven. Ananda said, “Out of the two queens Mallika learnt the Dhamma thoroughly. She rehearsed it faithfully and understood the instructions very well.

However, Vasabhakhatiya did not learn or follow the instructions.

When the Buddha said, “It is like a flower that possesses colour but lacks fragrance. A flower may be attractive. But, if it is devoid of fragrance, it is of no use.

In the same way, if the well spoken words are not practised properly, they turn out to be useless.”