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 a fool does evil without clearly knowing the harmful results that will follow, but when the evil deed bears fruit, he himself must suffer from what he has done. "A fool" here refers to one who lacks the wisdom to weigh evil and merit, benefit and harm; it does not mean one who has little education.

ขยายความบทตั้งThe commentary explains that "does not realise it" in this verse means not knowing what result the deed one does will bring, not failing to know that one is doing evil. For example, some people know that cheating or harming others is wrong, yet still do it because they want to gain something or want revenge, without being aware of the harmful results that will follow. "As if burned by fire" shows the burning torment that comes from the result of evil kamma, and the commentary also speaks of the suffering in hell, so its meaning is broader than the regret one feels on realising one has done wrong.

ขยายความบทตั้งThe important lesson is that we should not look only at the satisfaction or benefit gained at the moment, but should use mindfulness and wisdom to consider before acting whether this is right, whom it will harm and what damage it may cause. Even when we are angry or strongly want something, we should stop and think, and not let our emotions lead us into wrongdoing. Not yet seeing harmful results immediately does not make evil something that ought to be done.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑One who procrastinates, leaving what should be done first until later, will regret it when time runs short, because work rushed at the last moment is seldom done well. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Jātaka, Ekanipāta:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: This saying teaches us to know how to set priorities and to act at the proper time, not procrastinating, because when important work is left until the last moment, one may have to rush it, make mistakes and bring trouble upon oneself.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑The commentary on the Varuṇa Jātaka tells of a group of young men who went into the forest to gather firewood. One young man saw a varuṇa tree and took it to be dry wood, so he thought he would lie down and rest first and break off firewood later. When his companions woke him, he hurriedly climbed the tree to break off branches, and a branch sprang back and injured his eye. He brought the green wood back and laid it on top of his companions' firewood. The next morning, the one cooking the rice took that green wood to use, but could not get the fire going until it was late, so the whole group could not set out on their journey as planned. This story shows that putting things off and then rushing to do them later can cause harm both to oneself and to others.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑Every task has its order and its proper time. Some tasks must be finished first before others can begin. Preparing in advance gives time to think, check and correct mistakes, but when a task is left until time is nearly up, one may only manage to get it done, with no chance to check it carefully. Some trouble therefore arises from procrastination and not preparing in time, even though the problem could have been reduced by starting sooner.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๒When a person builds their own happiness on the suffering of others by using force or violence to harm them, the happiness gained does not last, and they find no happiness after leaving this world. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Dhammapada:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒To explain: "All beings" includes both humans and other animals, "the rod" here means a stick or weapon used to cause harm, and "after death" means after one has passed away. This saying warns that seeking happiness for oneself by harming other lives is evil kamma and does not lead to happiness in the next world.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒The commentary on the Dhammapada tells that the Buddha saw a group of boys beating a snake with sticks. When he asked why they were doing so, the boys replied that it was because they were afraid the snake would bite them. The Buddha then taught that one who desires happiness for oneself should not harm other beings, and spoke this verse. This story invites us to reflect that just as we love life and do not want to be hurt, other lives likewise want happiness and do not want to be harmed.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒One who harms others may gain momentary satisfaction or benefit, but that satisfaction arises from the suffering of the other party, and it may also give rise to fear, conflict and enmity. Harming until it becomes a habit may also make it easier to overlook the pain of others. We should therefore cultivate loving-kindness and consider whether what we are doing for our own happiness is causing trouble for anyone.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตApplying this lesson in daily life, someone who drives after drinking may overlook the danger, even though the act risks injuring himself and others. Someone who posts slanderous messages about others out of spite may damage the person accused and lose his own credibility. A student who regularly copies homework, though he hands in his work on time, loses the chance to practise and may not understand the lessons. These examples help us see that momentary satisfaction can lead to suffering later.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who do not wish for burning torment should therefore train mindfulness and wisdom and know how to restrain themselves when they are about to do wrong. If they have already done wrong, they should admit it, repair the damage as far as they can and resolve not to do it again. Though one cannot go back and change what has been done, one can stop creating further causes of suffering. We should therefore not be heedless of our own actions. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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