Deep Commentary

These two Dhammapada verses were taught by the Buddha at Jetavana Monastery, concerning Elder Nangalakula. According to the story, there was a poor laborer who wore only a ragged loincloth and carried a plow. He met a recluse who ordained him. After ordination, he joined the Sangha at Jetavana. The recluse hung his old loincloth and plow on a tree branch, which is why he came to be called Nangalakula, meaning 'Plow.' Whenever he felt discontent, he would go to that tree, scold himself, and ask whether he wanted to return to lay life and work for hire. After each self-reproach, he returned to continue his practice. Other monks, curious, asked him where he went. He replied that he was visiting his teacher. Through this sense of shame and self-discipline, he strove diligently and soon attained arahantship. When the other monks no longer saw him going to the tree, they teased him, asking why he no longer visited his teacher. He answered: 'Because I have no more worldly entanglements, I no longer go there.' The monks thought he was lying and reported this to the Buddha. The Buddha said: 'Bhikkhus, he speaks the truth. He has admonished himself and has attained the noble fruit.' (End of story summary). In these two verses, the Buddha teaches that each person must admonish and reflect upon themselves. We must protect ourselves and maintain mindfulness. One must be one's own guardian and one's own refuge. Strive to tame oneself as one tames a fine horse. Self-reflection is the best way to see one's own faults. The Buddha does not want us to depend on external conditions. Dependence on externals leads to seeking outside, which contradicts the path of awakening. Before his enlightenment, the Buddha constantly looked within. Through meditative effort, he discovered the transcendent truth, contrary to the other ascetics of his time. Why must we reflect upon and admonish ourselves? Why rely on oneself? A Buddhist practitioner must be constantly vigilant, for Buddha means 'the awakened one.' Lacking vigilance, we are deceived and swept away by external conditions. Our minds are easily fooled because we have not yet truly lived in our own pure, luminous, true mind. We live in the deluded mind, whose nature is arising and ceasing, impermanent, constantly changing, clinging to sense objects and never letting us rest. Thus we must always observe and monitor it, guarding and staying alert. Only by alertly controlling our thoughts can we abide in peace. This is the core of practice leading to awakening and liberation.