Verse 164. The Wicked Are Self-Destructive

Whatever man unwise relies
on evil views and so condemns
the Teaching of the Arahats,
or Noble Ones who Dhamma live,
he, as a bamboo fruiting,
fruits to self-destruction.

Explanation: There are some ignorant ones who, due to some harmful views, obstruct the teachings of noble saints, who conduct their lives righteously. They, like the bamboo plant that are destroyed when they bear fruit, are self-destructing.

 The Story of Venerable Kala (Verse 164)

While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to Venerable Kala.

Once in Savatthi, an elderly woman was looking after a monk named Kala, like her own son. One day, hearing from her neighbours about the virtues of the Buddha, she wished very much to go to the Jetavana Monastery and listen to the discourses given by the Buddha. So she told Venerable Kala about her wishes; but the monk advised her against it. Three times she spoke to him about her wishes but he always dissuaded her. But one day, in spite of his dissuasions, the lady decided to go. After asking her daughter to look to the needs of Venerable Kala she left the house. When Venerable Kala came on his usual round of alms-food, he learned that the lady of the house had left for the Jetavana Monastery. Then he reflected, “It is quite possible that the lady of this house is losing her faith in me.” So, he made haste and quickly followed her to the monastery, there, he found her listening to the discourse being given by the Buddha. He approached the Buddha respectfully, and said, “Venerable! This woman is very dull; she will not be able to understand the sublime Dhamma; please teach her only about charity (dana) and morality (sila).

The Buddha knew very well that Venerable Kala was talking out of spite and with an ulterior motive. So he said to Venerable Kala, “Monk! Because you are foolish and because of your wrong view, you scorn my Teaching. You yourself are your own ruin; in fact, you are only trying to destroy yourself”. At the end of the discourse, the elderly lady attained sotapatti fruition.

Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada – 423 Verses

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