Introduction 3.4.13: Udāyīsuttaṃ – How Dhamma Should Be Taught!
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Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa
Introduction to 3.4.13
Introduction to 3.4.13
Udāyīsuttaṃ – How Dhamma Should be Taught!
This sutta refers to the Venerable Udāyi, also called Mahā Udāyi to distinguish him from others by the same name. Mahā Udāyi was the son of a brahmin of Kapilavatthu and was reknown for being able to attract and address large crowds in the proper way.
In the present sutta Ānanda encoutered Mahā Udāyi preaching to many housholders. When he reported this to the Buddha expressed and praised the five necessary qualities that someone teaching Dhamma should have established within himself: ‘anupubbiṃ’ - ‘pariyāyadassāvī - ‘anuddayataṃ paṭicca’ - ‘na āmisantaro’ - ‘attānañca parañca anupahacca’
At another time at Kusinārā while highlighting the inherent qualities of a Bhikkhu who could be able to reproach others the Buddha pointed to five similar attributes in his approach when giving advise necessary for a Dhamma- teacher: ‘‘Katame pañca dhammā ajjhattaṃ upaṭṭhāpetabbā? ‘Kālena vakkhāmi , no akālena; bhūtena vakkhāmi, no abhūtena; saṇhena vakkhāmi, no pharusena; atthasaṃhitena vakkhāmi, no anatthasaṃhitena; mettacitto vakkhāmi, no dosantaro’ti – ime pañca dhammā ajjhattaṃ upaṭṭhāpetabbā.” – “ I will speak at the proper time, not at an unsuitable time; I will speak according to the truth, not to untruth; I will speak in a gentle manner, not harshly; I will speak if it is beneficial, not if it is unprofitable and I will speak with a mind filled with Metta, not while harbouring anger.’’
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[1] pajjhāyati: to be in flames, fig. to be overcome with grief or remorse ‘‘Tatheva pañhaṃ parisāsu pucchito;
Na ceva pajjhāyati na maṅku hoti;
So kālāgataṃ byākaraṇārahaṃ vaco;
Rañjeti viññūparisaṃ vicakkhaṇo .”
“When asked a question amongst an assembly,
He neither hesitates nor feels annoyed,
Timely are his words, skilful his explanation,
A wise assembly gets delighted.”
‘‘So tādiso sīlavisuddhiyā ṭhito;
Visārado hoti visayha bhāsati;
Nacchambhati parisagato na vedhati;
Atthaṃ na hāpeti anuyyutaṃ bhaṇaṃ.”
“Firm in purity of sīla, unshaken,
Confident and able he does speak,
Without fear before an assembly he doesn’t tremble,
Not sacrificing the true meaning for irrelevant words.”
Na ceva pajjhāyati na maṅku hoti;
So kālāgataṃ byākaraṇārahaṃ vaco;
Rañjeti viññūparisaṃ vicakkhaṇo .”
“When asked a question amongst an assembly,
He neither hesitates nor feels annoyed,
Timely are his words, skilful his explanation,
A wise assembly gets delighted.”
‘‘So tādiso sīlavisuddhiyā ṭhito;
Visārado hoti visayha bhāsati;
Nacchambhati parisagato na vedhati;
Atthaṃ na hāpeti anuyyutaṃ bhaṇaṃ.”
“Firm in purity of sīla, unshaken,
Confident and able he does speak,
Without fear before an assembly he doesn’t tremble,
Not sacrificing the true meaning for irrelevant words.”
This sutta refers to the Venerable Udāyi, also called Mahā Udāyi to distinguish him from others by the same name. Mahā Udāyi was the son of a brahmin of Kapilavatthu and was reknown for being able to attract and address large crowds in the proper way.
In the present sutta Ānanda encoutered Mahā Udāyi preaching to many housholders. When he reported this to the Buddha expressed and praised the five necessary qualities that someone teaching Dhamma should have established within himself: ‘anupubbiṃ’ - ‘pariyāyadassāvī - ‘anuddayataṃ paṭicca’ - ‘na āmisantaro’ - ‘attānañca parañca anupahacca’
At another time at Kusinārā while highlighting the inherent qualities of a Bhikkhu who could be able to reproach others the Buddha pointed to five similar attributes in his approach when giving advise necessary for a Dhamma- teacher: ‘‘Katame pañca dhammā ajjhattaṃ upaṭṭhāpetabbā? ‘Kālena vakkhāmi , no akālena; bhūtena vakkhāmi, no abhūtena; saṇhena vakkhāmi, no pharusena; atthasaṃhitena vakkhāmi, no anatthasaṃhitena; mettacitto vakkhāmi, no dosantaro’ti – ime pañca dhammā ajjhattaṃ upaṭṭhāpetabbā.” – “ I will speak at the proper time, not at an unsuitable time; I will speak according to the truth, not to untruth; I will speak in a gentle manner, not harshly; I will speak if it is beneficial, not if it is unprofitable and I will speak with a mind filled with Metta, not while harbouring anger.’’
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[2] maṅku: restless, disturbed, annoyed
[3] vicakkhaṇo: alert, sensible, fitting, wise
[4] Upālisaṅghasāmaggīpucchā; Kosambakakkhandhako, Mahāvaggapāḷi, Vinayapiṭake
[5] hāpeti: forsake, neglect
[6] anuyyutaṃ: anu + y + yutaṃ: intend upon
[7] Upālisaṅghasāmaggīpucchā, Kosambakakkhandhako, Mahāvaggapāḷi
[8] for vocabulary please refer to the sutta
[9] vakkhāmi: vatti (1. sing. fut.): I will speak
[10] Kusinārasuttaṃ, Akkosavaggo, Aṅguttaranikāyo, Dasakanipātapāḷi
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Pāli lesson (with audio) 3.4.13
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Last modified: Thursday, 28 December 2023, 10:42 AM