Deep Commentary

This verse was spoken at Jetavana Monastery regarding Elder Sammunjani, who was obsessed with cleaning to the point of neglecting meditation. He criticized Elder Revata for remaining still, assuming Revata was lazy and living off the offerings of donors. Revata taught him that true diligence (virya) is not merely physical labor but the inner work of meditation and overcoming mental defilements. Upon realizing this, Sammunjani focused on meditation and soon attained Arhatship. The Buddha praised him, noting that while he was once heedless, his shift toward intense inner spiritual practice—like the moon emerging from behind clouds—made him a source of light for the world. The lesson is that true diligence in Buddhism is the 'inward look' or self-reflection that eliminates greed, hatred, and delusion. Merely keeping busy with external tasks, even if they are 'religious' duties, can become a form of distraction or worldly attachment if performed without mindfulness (sati). Practitioners must balance physical action with the stillness of meditation to achieve genuine liberation.