Deep Commentary

This verse was spoken when some monks mistakenly accused Venerable Anuruddha of showing off by receiving abundant, high-quality food offerings, unaware that a deity had actually inspired the villagers to give so generously. The Buddha used this event to teach that an Arhat, having eradicated all mental defilements (cankers), has absolutely no attachment to the taste or abundance of food. Ordinary people often project their own worldly desires and flaws onto others, misjudging the actions of the enlightened. The Buddha warns against such superficial and jealous judgments. The true measure of spiritual attainment is not outward appearance, but an unwavering mind in the face of the Eight Worldly Winds (gain and loss, fame and disrepute, praise and blame, pleasure and pain). Instead of criticizing others out of ignorance, we should focus on purifying our own minds, dwelling in emptiness and liberation, so that we too can move through the world as freely as a bird in the sky.