Deep Commentary

This verse was taught by the Buddha at Jetavana Monastery, relating to Venerable Pothila. According to the story, Elder Pothila was well-versed in the Tipitaka during the time of seven Buddhas and was a teacher instructing five hundred monks. Although he was a teacher, his defilements had not yet been eradicated. Therefore, the Buddha wanted to encourage him to quickly end his defilements by calling him "Empty Pothila." Hearing this, he wondered: why did the Buddha call him that? The Buddha knew well that he was proficient in the Tipitaka and a teacher of disciples. Then why did the Buddha call him empty? Perhaps because he had not yet developed right concentration, so the Buddha called him thus. Thinking this, he decided to enter the forest to practice meditation. When he went into the forest, he approached various monks one by one to request training, but all refused because they knew he was the current teacher. Finally, he had to humble himself before a seven-year-old novice to seek instruction. The novice refused. He patiently persisted until finally the novice told him to jump into a pond with his robes on, not to remove them, then come out and approach him. Then the novice said: suppose there is a gecko that enters a cave with six openings. To catch it, one must close five openings and leave only one – then the gecko can be caught. Likewise, you should close off the five sense faculties and focus on the mind faculty; then you will surely attain your goal. Pothila, being intelligent, understood the meaning and was enlightened. Without hesitation, he focused his mind on contemplating his body and began meditation. The Buddha, 120 miles away, knowing that the Venerable would become greatly wise and attain arahantship, manifested before him and spoke the above verse.