Deep Commentary

These three verses were taught by the Buddha to the monks when he was staying in a forest with the royal elephant Pāveyyaka. According to the story, while the Buddha was at Kosambi, the monks often quarreled and argued among themselves. The Buddha tried to reconcile them, but no one listened. He then left alone for a deep forest and lived there with the royal elephant Pāveyyaka, who served and cared for him with great devotion. Meanwhile, both monastic and lay disciples became deeply worried about the Buddha. They asked Venerable Ānanda to take them to see him and hear the Dharma. Ānanda could not refuse, so he led five hundred monks toward the forest. When they came near, Ānanda thought, “Is it suitable to bring five hundred monks before the Buddha at this time? Will he receive them?” He decided to go in first by himself. Seeing Ānanda approach, the elephant Pāveyyaka was displeased and moved as if to drive him away with his trunk. The Buddha said, “Step back, Pāveyyaka. Do not drive him away. He is the attendant of the Tathāgata.” The elephant then lowered his trunk and showed respect to Ānanda. After bowing to the Buddha, Ānanda explained that he had brought five hundred monks, who were waiting outside the forest. The Buddha allowed them to enter. After paying homage, they expressed their concern that the Buddha had been living alone with no one to care for him. Understanding their thoughts, the Buddha said, “Monks, the royal elephant Pāveyyaka has done everything for me. With such a companion, solitary living is good. And if one does not have such a companion, it is better to live alone.” The meaning of these verses concerns friendship, companionship, and living together in harmony and mutual support. In life, even those with difficult temperaments need at least one or two trusted friends. A wise and virtuous friend can help us in many ways. When we face hardship, danger, or inner suffering, good friends can help us pass through those difficulties. Therefore, the Buddha advises us to associate with noble friends, especially companions who share a wholesome path or a common ideal. When making friends, we must choose carefully. If we see that someone’s character is not worthy of trust, we should not become too close, because such association brings little benefit. But those who treat us sincerely, without deceit, exploitation, slander, or hidden motives, are true and wholesome friends whom we may cherish. Even with close friends, however, there should be proper boundaries and mutual respect. Respect is essential if friendship is to last. Excessive familiarity can lead us to become careless in speech and action. Since ordinary people still carry attachment, anger, pride, and many afflictions, we must be mindful in our relationships. It is common in the world for intimate friends to become enemies through carelessness. The Buddha therefore teaches that when we find good friends who know how to live wisely, understand themselves and others, and help each other in times of need, we should gladly walk with them. In verse 329, the Buddha reminds us that if we cannot find a noble and wise companion, we should live alone, like a king leaving a troubled kingdom or an elephant returning to the forest. A worthy companion must be virtuous, but virtue alone is not enough; wisdom is also needed. A wise person judges matters deeply and is not impulsive or easily led by hearsay. Such a friend has three qualities: walking the same path or sharing a noble aim; possessing honest, gentle, and moral character; and having sound understanding that can balance feeling and reason. These are essential qualities to consider when choosing a friend. In verse 330, the Buddha reminds us not to associate with fools. Elsewhere, he also teaches that we should not keep company with the ignoble, but should associate with the good and noble-hearted. From experience, we can see that living or associating closely with thoughtless people often brings frustration through their careless words and actions. In such cases, as the Buddha teaches, it is better to live alone in peace than to remain in harmful company. On the surface, these verses teach ordinary human conduct in friendship and community. But their deeper meaning goes further. To find a true companion in the Dharma is not easy. A true friend, and even more so an awakened teacher who understands truth, is rare in the world. Such a friend transcends worldly conventions, rigid doctrines, social habits, labels, power structures, and all conditioned dualistic ways of thinking. If such a friend is found, that is the companion the Buddha advises us to follow. If not, one must be able to walk alone. This solitude is not ordinary loneliness, but freedom from dependence and unconscious attachment. The story also shows that even in the Buddha’s time, the monastic community was not always harmonious. Those free from defilements do not quarrel, but new practitioners whose afflictions remain may still fall into disagreement. Even living near the Buddha, they did not always follow his guidance. This teaches the importance of communal harmony. If a spiritual community truly practices mutual respect, shared discipline, harmony in speech and action, and common understanding, disputes and rivalry will not arise. When the monks would not listen, the Buddha left for the forest. He did not leave out of anger; rather, his departure was a way to awaken them. When the Buddha was absent, people became remorseful and sought him. This shows how precious the presence of a true teacher is, though people may take such a teacher for granted when he is always near. When the monks finally met the Buddha, he pointed to Pāveyyaka as an example. The elephant had served him faithfully. From this, the Buddha taught that if people live together without understanding, love, sympathy, and mutual help, then it is better to live alone.