Parabhavasutta :

The discourse on ruin

By Premasara Epasinghe

The Buddha was a communicator par excellence. During the 40 years of his ministry, he met men and women from all walks of life. He preached and listened to them. The Buddha followed a three-fold manner of answering questions.

Firstly, if a question was posed to him by a person he answered it directly. Secondly, he divided the question into different segments and answered them. Thirdly, he was known as Patipucchi, where the Buddha, obtained answers through a dialogue or discussion with the questioner.

As in the Mahamangalasutta, the guest discourse on the auspices, a deity approached the Buddha and asked him about the Parabhava or the causes that lead to man's ruin.

It is known as the Parabhava Sutta. The causes of ruin are true and common even today.

Therefore, this is an important Sutta to mould your life by avoiding the causes that lead to ruin. If you avoid them you will live a happy life.

Causes

There are 25 stanzas in the Parabhavasutta. It belongs to the Khuddaka Nikaya. The Buddha delivered the Sutta while in Jethawana in Anathopindakas Park, to a deity who asked the question, “What are the causes that will lead to one's ruin.”

The deity posed the first question. The cause of ruin Kim Parabhavoto Mukkham.

The Buddha replied. “The prospering man likes righteousness. The one who hates righteousness is in ruin. Dhammakamo Bhavam Hoti - Dhammadessi Parabhavo.

Then the Buddha explained the reason for ruin.Unenergetic, lazy, fond of sleep, anger, one who does not take delight in good, follow bad things, one who does not look after the beloved parents are causes ruining a man.

Gambler

The Buddha also said, “any so-called religious leader deceives people through untruth, a wealthy stingy man partake food alone, obdurate or stubborn about race, wealth, clan and tribe, one who ignores his own relations, a womaniser (Ittidhutto), drunkard (Suradhutto) gambler (Akkhadutto) destroys whatever he gets (Laddham Laddham Vinaseti) that is the cause of ruin. (Tam Parabhavato Mukham)”.

In today's society, we come across people who live in luxury, spend time at night clubs, casinos and brothels. When parents do not pay attention to their children's conduct, children and parents suffer.

In the Parabhava Sutta the Buddha said if a person is dissatisfied with his wife and associates courtesans, he will ruin himself”. Sehi Darehi Santuttho - Vesiyasu Padissati Dissati Paradaresu – Jam Parabhavto Mukham.

An old man who marries a young girl will also ruin his life.

A woman addicted to drink, squandering or a man of similar tendencies appointed to be in charge of wealth, also lead to ruin.

The Buddha uttered the last stanza in Para bhavasutta: Ete Parabhave Loke - Pandito, Sanavekkhiya, Atiyo Dassanasampanno - Sa Lokam Bhajate Sivan.

(In this world, these ruins - a wise man, having considered

The noble man, possessed of insight - he associates the sage world.)