![[info icon]](./../../../img/question_16.gif "Summary: The Buddha observes a group of boys beating a snake with a stick.")
I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Sāvatthī at Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. And on that occasion, a large number of boys on the road between Sāvatthī & Jeta's Grove were hitting a snake with a stick. Then early in the morning the Blessed One adjusted his under robe and — carrying his bowl & robes — went into Sāvatthī for alms. He saw the large number of boys on the road between Sāvatthī & Jeta's Grove hitting the snake with a stick.
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion exclaimed:
Whoever hits with a stick
beings desiring ease,
when he himself is looking for ease,
will meet with no ease after death.
Whoever doesn't hit with a stick
beings desiring ease,
when he himself is looking for ease,
will meet with ease after death.[1]
Note
- 1.
- These verses are identical with Dhp 131-132.
©2012 Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
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Transcribed from a file provided by the translator. Last revised for Access to Insight on 3 September 2012.
How to cite this document (a suggested style): "Daṇḍa Sutta: The Stick" (Ud 2.3), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 3 September 2012, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/ud/ud.2.03.than.html .
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