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 speaks of the harm of ingratitude, that is, not recognising or not valuing the good that others have done for us.

ขยายความบทตั้งThose who do not recognise the kindness of others tend to see the help they receive as ordinary or as their right. Having received a benefit, they forget it, or sometimes even repay it with bad actions. As a result, people lose trust in them and no longer wish to help. When the time comes that they need help or long for something, they lack supporters, and so the benefits they hoped for are lost.

ขยายความบทตั้งBuddhism praises gratitude as the mark of a good person. One of the kinds of people who are hard to find in the world is the one who recognises the kindness of others and repays it. Ingratitude is therefore not a minor flaw, but something that destroys relationships and destroys opportunities in life. Recognising kindness does not always require repaying it with valuable things; simply remembering it, expressing thanks and not harming those who have helped us is already an important foundation.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑One who recognizes the good and the benefit that others have done for them in the past is grateful, and the aims they desire will prosper all the more. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Jātaka, Sattakanipāta:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: This saying is the counterpart of the one about the harm of ingratitude, showing the blessings of gratitude, that is, recognising and remembering the good that others have done for us.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑Gratitude has two parts: kataññū, recognising kindness, and katavedī, repaying kindness. This saying emphasises recognising and appreciating kindness, which is the starting point of repaying it. One who appreciates kindness has a gentle heart and is not conceited, knowing that others have helped behind his success. This feeling leads him to treat others with respect and sincerity.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑The benefits he longs for increase because a grateful person is trusted. Those who have helped him are glad to keep helping, and others who see this also want to associate with and support him. Moreover, gratitude brings happiness to the mind, because one who sees the good one has received feels that life has supporters, is not lonely, and is inspired to do good to others in turn.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๒When a person lets laziness appear in the form of various excuses and keeps putting work off, the benefits they should have gained slip past them little by little until they can no longer be recovered. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Dīgha Nikāya, Pāṭikavagga:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒To explain: This saying teaches that one who is always finding excuses to postpone or abandon work misses the benefits he should have gained, because opportunity and time wait for no one.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒This saying comes from the Sigālaka Sutta, which the Buddha taught to the young man Sigālaka, describing the dangers of laziness: the lazy person tends to say it is too cold, too hot, too late, too early, too hungry or too full, and so does not work. As a result, wealth that has not yet arisen does not arise, and wealth that has arisen is used up. These excuses sound reasonable, but in truth they conceal the laziness in the mind.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒The excuses of the lazy have one important characteristic: they never run out. When one escapes the cold, one meets the heat; when one escapes the heat, it is evening. If one waits until everything is ready before starting, one may never do anything at all. Nevertheless, resting when truly tired or ill is necessary. This saying warns against using excuses to avoid one's duties; it does not forbid caring for one's health.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn daily life, children who were raised by their parents but neglect to care for them once grown lose the warmth of family and are criticised by society. A student whom a teacher helped to succeed, but who then speaks contemptuously of that teacher, loses credibility. An employee who was given the opportunity to develop by an organisation but then reveals its secrets will no longer be trusted by anyone.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who wish for prosperity should therefore always remember the good that others have done for them, express their thanks, and never repay goodness with harm. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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