215 THE STORY OF PRINCE BODHI - Dhammapada Verse 157

<p>Welcome back to the <strong>Sutta Meditation Series Podcast</strong>.</p> <p>A question has been asked in regards to this Dhammapada verse and story: &nbsp;</p> <p><strong>"May I ask, if we do something wrong like killing and we felt remorse about it, then is the vipaka [kamma] a lesser burden? Can you explain more about “remorse“ in this verse?” &nbsp;</strong></p> <p>Dhammapada verse 157 is <strong>THE STORY OF PRINCE BODHI and his wife, who are unable to have children. He invites the Buddha for an alms-giving and learns of their past life transgressions that have resulted in this predicament. &nbsp;</strong></p> <p>This teaching is particularly helpful in understanding that &nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>— we are the owners of our kamma, &nbsp;</li> <li>— examining the importance of regret over our actions, &nbsp;</li> <li>— abandoning unwholesome conduct, &nbsp;</li> <li>— admitting fault and making amends, and &nbsp;</li> <li>— having strong intentions and applying effort towards cultivating wholesome conduct. &nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>The Buddha's words from Dhp 157: &nbsp;</p> <p><em>"Attānañce piyaṁ jaññā, <br> rakkheyya naṁ surakkhitaṁ; <br> Tiṇṇaṁ aññataraṁ yāmaṁ, <br> paṭijaggeyya paṇḍito.” &nbsp;</em></p> <p>“If one knows oneself as dear, &nbsp;<br> one should guard oneself well, <br> during one of the three watches of the night &nbsp;<br> the wise one should stay wakeful (alert).” &nbsp;</p> <p>Other suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>— Sekha-pāṭipada Sutta (MN53)&nbsp;</li> <li>— Accaya Sutta (AN 3.4)&nbsp;</li> <li>— Cakkhupālatthera Vatthu (Dhp 1)&nbsp;</li> <li>— Acinteyya Sutta (AN 4.77)&nbsp;</li> <li>— Aṅgulimālattheravatthu (Dhp 173)&nbsp;</li> <li>— Aṅgulimāla Sutta (MN 86) &nbsp;</li> <li>— Dutiyasīla Sutta (Iti 33) &nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>To read the full chapter Atta Vagga (Dhp 157–166) of the Dhammapada - https://suttacentral.net/dhp157-166/en/anandajoti &nbsp;</p> <p>Much merit (bohoma pin) to the person who has asked this question.</