Deep Commentary

These two verses were taught by the Buddha at Jetavana Monastery, relating to some virtuous monks. Several monks of perfect virtue thought to themselves: "We possess full virtue, we practice the pure teaching, we have wide learning, we live in seclusion, we have developed psychic powers through meditation. Therefore, attaining arahantship is not difficult for us; we can become arahants whenever we wish." Likewise, those who had attained the stage of non-returner also thought: "For us, attaining arahantship is not difficult." One day they went to the Buddha, paid homage, and sat to one side. The Buddha asked: "Monks, have you completed your task?" They replied: "Lord, we have reached such and such stages of sanctity; whenever we wish we will attain arahantship. Thinking thus, we remain content where we are." Hearing this, the Buddha taught: "Monks, it is not fitting for a monk to rest content simply because he has kept the precepts perfectly, or because he has attained the third stage of sanctity, thinking: 'There remain only a few defilements in my present life.' On the contrary, so long as the corruptions are not completely eradicated, one has no right to claim that one has truly attained." On that occasion the Buddha spoke these two verses. (Excerpt from The Dhammapada Story Collection