Deep Commentary

This verse was taught by the Buddha at Jetavana Monastery, concerning five monks. According to the story, five monks, after receiving the essence of the Buddha's teaching, each tried to tame one of the five sense faculties. One day they met and argued. Each claimed that their own sense faculty was the hardest to tame. They went to the Buddha, each explaining their position. The Buddha avoided singling out any monk as inferior. He said: "Bhikkhus, all sense faculties are difficult to guard. This is not the first time you have failed in guarding the five sense faculties. In a past life, you also failed to restrain them because you did not heed the advice of a wise teacher." The Buddha then told a past story. In a past life, he was the leader of five ministers traveling to Flower City to receive a throne, but the royal family had been killed by demons (yakkhas). Along the way, the demons tempted them with sounds, sights, smells, delicious food, and beautiful women. The five ministers disregarded the Bodhisatta's warnings, became attached, and were killed. Only the Bodhisatta restrained himself and survived. He reached Flower City and became king. Reflecting on this, he said: "One should use the power of one's own will." The Buddha concluded: "The five ministers of that time were you five monks. The one who safely reached Flower City and became king was myself." The Buddha further taught: "A monk must diligently guard all sense faculties, for only by restraining the six sense bases can one be freed from suffering." Restraining the six sense faculties is crucial in practice. Whoever carefully guards and tames them will surely reach the shore of liberation. For monastics, restraining the six sense faculties when they contact the six sense objects—not allowing attachment or being bound—is what all Buddhas and Patriarchs constantly advise. Both samsara and liberation arise from our six sense faculties. The story above is a concrete example. Because the Buddha guarded his sense faculties, he reached Flower City and became king. Conversely, the five ministers indulged their faculties in sense objects and were killed. Flower City symbolizes the goal of liberation that all practitioners should strive toward. Attaining this goal is not easy. Without fierce determination, deep concentration, and sharp wisdom, it is very difficult. On the path, there are countless hindrances, traps, and tests, especially the traps of the five sensual pleasures and the six sense objects. These have an extremely powerful allure. Without carefully and strictly guarding the six sense faculties, a single moment of negligence can lead quickly to suffering.