One who, while himself seeking happiness, o ppresses with violence other beings who also desire happiness, will not attain happiness hereafter.
One who, while himself seeking happiness, oppresses with violence other beings who also desire happiness, will not attain happiness hereafter.
Deep Commentary
The Buddha delivered this teaching at the Jetavana monastery regarding a group of children. Seeing them hitting a snake with sticks because they feared being bitten, He taught that seeking one's own happiness by inflicting pain on others who also desire happiness will only result in future suffering. Human nature often leans toward selfishness, leading people to harm others to protect themselves. However, true happiness cannot be built on the suffering of others. When we act out of anger or ignorance to harm someone, we destroy our own peace. True happiness is found in mindfulness, compassion, and letting go of hostility.
This verse from Dhammapada Chapter 10, verse 131, teaches a fundamental principle of karma. It explains that if we, who all desire happiness, inflict suffering or violence upon other beings who also seek happiness, we will not find true happiness in the future.
The Buddha shared this teaching in the context of children harming a snake out of fear. It highlights that acting from a place of selfishness, anger, or ignorance to cause pain to others ultimately harms ourselves. Genuine happiness cannot be built on the suffering of others. Instead, true well-being arises from mindfulness, compassion, and the letting go of hostility.
How does this teaching resonate with your own experiences of seeking happiness?
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