Deep Commentary

These two verses were taught by the Buddha at Jetavana Monastery and are related to some lay followers and non-Buddhists. There was a group of children who played together, some from non-Buddhist families and others from Buddhist families. When the non-Buddhist children went home, their parents forbade them from greeting the monks and visiting the monastery, making them take a solemn oath. One day, while playing near Jetavana, the children became thirsty. The non-Buddhist children asked a Buddhist friend to fetch water from the monastery. Upon entering, the child met the Buddha and recounted the story. The Buddha instructed: after drinking, invite the others to come and drink. All the children came to see the Buddha. He told them a simple story, taught the Dharma, strengthened their faith, and guided them to take refuge and observe precepts. The non-Buddhist children returned home and recounted the story to their parents, who became angry, weeping and lamenting that their children were following a false teacher. A wise neighbor comforted them and explained the Dharma, leading them to realize its benefit and decide that henceforth they would follow the guidance of Gotama. With their extended family, they visited the monastery, paid respects to the Buddha, and listened to the Dharma. The Buddha observed their minds and delivered these two verses. In verse 318, the Buddha explains that whether an action is right or wrong depends on the mind and wrong views, which leads to suffering. Human society continues to suffer because of rigid, mistaken judgments: white is called black, black is called white; right is considered wrong, wrong is considered right; false is thought true, true is thought false. These misconceptions cause prejudice, conflicts, wars, and hatred. Compassion for others diminishes due to distorted perception. From individuals to families and societies, conflict arises from false views. Verse 319 teaches that recognizing fault as fault and non-fault as non-fault, maintaining right view, brings the path of goodness close. Simply changing perception to see things as they truly are ends suffering. Seeing reality correctly eliminates false clinging and misperception, leading to liberation. Only the path of right view leads the practitioner toward Buddhahood. The story illustrates the innocence of children: they play together naturally without distinguishing between Buddhist and non-Buddhist friends. The divisions come from adults who impose prohibitions and rigid boundaries based on mistaken perceptions, fostering hatred and diminishing human goodness. Adults often carry ego, prejudice, hatred, jealousy, division, and violence, forgetting fundamental human connection. Until humanity overcomes dualistic biases and false views, conflict and suffering will persist. The Buddha’s teachings call for recognition of innate clarity and the path to liberation. Children’s innate wisdom and purity exemplify the potential for transformation. When guided by intelligence and insight, even parents can be converted to the Dharma, demonstrating that wisdom is the guiding light toward complete awakening.