Deep Commentary

This verse, along with the two that follow (198 and 199), arose from a dispute between two neighboring kingdoms. Residents of Kapilavastu and Koliya shared the same river, and a conflict over water rights escalated from personal quarrels to village-wide tensions and, eventually, the brink of war between the two nations. The Buddha intervened with his psychic powers to mediate and restore peace. He taught that in a world filled with hatred and conflict, living without enmity is a great happiness. The Buddha emphasizes that only compassion can dissolve hatred. This story illustrates how small, unresolved disputes—if left unchecked—can grow into catastrophic destruction. Just as a small spark can become a massive fire, unmanaged anger destroys long-standing relationships and breeds deep-seated misery. To overcome this, one must cultivate wisdom and compassion, take responsibility for one's actions, apologize when at fault, and practice forgiveness. Ultimately, we must be the ones to untie the knots of hatred we have created. For the practitioner, living without enmity is a path to peace and liberation, ensuring that one does not harbor seeds of discord.