Deep Commentary

The Buddha spoke this verse near Varanasi concerning the Dragon King Erakapatta. In a past life, he was a monk who accidentally tore a leaf, a minor act that resulted in many lifetimes as a dragon. This story illustrates the profound weight of Kamma and the extreme rarity of attaining a human birth, which the Buddha described as harder to achieve than a blind turtle finding a wooden yoke floating in the vast ocean. The commentary emphasizes the preciousness of human life and the critical importance of avoiding self-destruction, which is often driven by the loss of domestic harmony and genuine love. True spiritual attainment requires the difficult-to-achieve conditions of having a human body, hearing the True Dharma, and encountering the teachings of the Buddhas. While we may not live during the time of the historical Buddha, the teachings remain accessible. By reflecting inward and realizing one's innate Buddha-nature—the unborn and undying mind—one can truly encounter the Buddha within.