อารัมภบทI shall now explain and expand upon the meaning of the Dhamma theme written above, as a guide for study and practice.

อธิบายบทตั้งTo explain: This saying teaches that one should not do evil for the sake of food. The words "for the sake of food" mean being willing to do what is not right merely in order to obtain food or to fill one's stomach. In a wider sense, they also mean being willing to do evil for immediate gain, for comfort or for survival, without regard for what is right. This saying of the Buddha warns that the necessities of life are no excuse for doing evil.

ขยายความบทตั้งMany people claim that they have to do evil out of necessity, because they must support their families, or because everyone else does it. The wise, however, see that evil done for the sake of one's stomach gives only a temporary result. The food obtained satisfies for just one meal, but the evil done stays with one for a long time and may later bring much greater trouble. Those who have virtue and Dhamma are therefore willing to endure hardship, to go hungry and to have little, rather than trade their own goodness for small gains, because they know that dignity and purity of mind are worth more than any food.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑True happiness does not have to come from owning things but arises from not doing evil. One who refrains from evil in body, speech, and mind is at ease and has nothing to fear. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Dhammapada:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: This saying teaches that not doing evil brings happiness. The words "not doing evil" mean abstaining from all evil, by body, by speech and by mind. "Happiness" here means ease of body and ease of mind, a sense of freedom, with nothing to fear or worry about. This saying of the Buddha shows that happiness does not necessarily come from possessing things, but can arise from not doing what is bad.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑The happiness that arises from not doing evil is a deep and stable happiness. One who does not do evil sleeps soundly, does not have to fear that his wrongdoing will be revealed, does not have to be suspicious of others, and does not have to lie to cover up wrongdoing, so his mind is light and at ease. On the contrary, one who does evil, even if he obtains what he wants, has a mind burning with fear, shame and remorse. In the Dhammapada, this saying of the Buddha appears together with the words: virtue brings happiness until old age, firmly established faith brings happiness, and the attainment of wisdom brings happiness. This shows that not doing evil is the foundation of all happiness.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn real life, a merchant who adulterates his goods or cheats with his scales to make more profit is said to do evil for the sake of food. A government official who takes bribes in order to live more comfortably than before also does evil for the sake of his stomach. On the other hand, a person with a small income who earns his living honestly, willing to work hard but unwilling to do wrong, deserves praise and is a good example for his children and grandchildren.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who wish to live with dignity should therefore hold firmly to what is right, even when life is hard. They should earn their living by right livelihood and not let hunger or desire drive them to evil. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

ปิดท้ายThus has the meaning been explained, as set forth above.