Introduction
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa
Introduction to 3.5.5 Potaliyasuttaṃ - Pāṇātipātaṃ pahāya pāṇātipātā paṭivirato
How to Abandon the Destruction of Life
At one time, a householder named Potaliya visited the Buddha. Potaliya had given all his wealth and responsibilities to his children, and he was living a simple life with just enough food and clothing. Although he still dressed like a householder, he considered himself a mendicant. So, when the Buddha asked him to sit in a chair by addressing him as “householder”, Potaliya objected.
Evaṃ kho me, bho gotama, sabbe kammantā paṭikkhittā,1 sabbe vohārā samucchinnā’ti.
In this way, friend Gotama,2 I have given up all duties and renounced all trades!
Buddha then informed Potaliya about a distinctive difference to giving up responsibilities in the world and giving up responsibilities according to the Noble Vinaya:
Aññathā kho tvaṃ, gahapati, vohārasamucchedaṃ vadasi, aññathā ca pana ariyassa vinaye vohārasamucchedo3 hotī’ti.
There is a difference between making an end to all trades the way you describe it, householder, but the renouncing of all trades according to the Noble Vinaya is quite another matter.
Yathā kathaṃ pana, bhante, ariyassa vinaye vohārasamucchedo hoti? Sādhu me, bhante, bhagavā tathā dhammaṃ desetu yathā ariyassa vinaye vohārasamucchedo hotī’ti.
What then, Bhante, is the meaning of giving up responsibilities according to the Noble Vinaya. It would be good if the Bhagavā explained what it means when renouncing of all trades according to the Noble Vinaya!
In the ensuing explanation the Buddha instructs Potaliya in the eight matters that should to be renounced by any householder, who earnestly wants to pursue the path. He points out reinforcing tools that support one’s volition to uphold the determination to successfully overcome all hindrances.
The selection of the sutta extracted for this lesson refers to the respective parts of sammākammanto: pāṇātipāto pahātabbo and adinnādānaṃ pahātabba – but does not dwell in detail on the other six that are referred to in the whole sutta (musāvādo; pisuṇā vācā; giddhilobho; nindāroso; kodhūpāyāso; atimānaṃ pahātabbo).
After the Buddha highlighted to Potaliya the importance of abandoning these eight shortcomings, he asserted that they were but a first necessary step only. Buddha was then requested by Potaliya to explain further:
Yathā kathaṃ pana, bhante, ariyassa vinaye sabbena sabbaṃ sabbathā sabbaṃ vohārasamucchedo hoti? Sādhu me, bhante, bhagavā tathā dhammaṃ desetu yathā ariyassa vinaye sabbena sabbaṃ sabbathā sabbaṃ vohārasamucchedo hotī’ti.
But how then, Bhante, can the responsibilities according to the Noble Vinaya be given up entirely and completely in all ways? It would be good if the Bhagavā explained it to me. Can the responsibilities according to the Noble Vinaya be given up entirely and completely in all ways?
The Buddha then used various similes to illustrate the many forms that sensual pleasures can take. He stressed that only by immediately understanding their inherent danger can one ensure further progress on the path.4,5
1. paṭikkhittā: paṭikkhipati (pp.): reject, refuse.
2. Here the greeting: ‘bho gotama’ confirms that Potaliya at this time felt equal to the Buddha, but soon after till the end of the discourse he changes to the respectful address: Bhante or Bhagavā and finally requests acceptance in the order and takes full refuge under the triple gem.
3. vohārasamucchedo: vohāra + samucchedo: business, trade + giving up, abolishing.
4. See Kāmādīnavakathā, Potaliyasuttaṃ, Gahapativaggo, Majjhimapaṇṇāsapāḷi. Compare also with lesson 3.5.10, where the Introduction refers and quotes these dangers.
5. Some of these similes are provided in the Introduction to 3.5.7 Rūpādivaggo - The One Thing That Upsets the Mind.