The Story of Some Bhikkhus

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (262) and (263) of this book, with reference to some bhikkhus who were very envious of other bhikkhus.

At the monastery, young bhikkhus and samaneras were in the habit of attending on older bhikkhus who were their teachers. They washed and dyed the robes, or else performed other small services for their teachers. Some bhikkhus noticing these services envied those senior bhikkhus, and so they thought out a plan that would benefit them materially. Their plan was that they would suggest to the Buddha that young bhikkhus and samaneras should be required to come to them for further instruction and guidance even though they had been taught by their respective teachers. When they went to the Buddha with this proposal, the Buddha, knowing full well their motive, turned it down. To them the Buddha said, "Bhikkhus I do not say that you are good-hearted just because you can talk eloquently. Only he who has got rid of covetousness and all that is evil by means of Arahatta Magga is to be called a good-hearted man."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 262: Not by fine talk, nor by good looks could one be a good-hearted man, if he were envious, miserly and crafty.

Verse 263: A wise man who has cut off, uprooted and removed these and has rid himself of moral defilements is indeed called a good-hearted man.