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 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.

ขยายความบทตั้งThe 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.

ขยายความบทตั้งEvery 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 ๑All beings alike desire happiness. One who seeks their own happiness without harming or hurting others finds rightful happiness, both now and hereafter. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Dhammapada:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: This saying teaches us to seek happiness with loving-kindness. Just as we love happiness and dislike suffering, others likewise love happiness and dislike suffering. Since we do not want anyone to harm us, we should not harm anyone for the sake of our own happiness.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑This verse is the counterpart of the verse on the harm of hurting others. The commentary on the Dhammapada tells that the Buddha taught the boys who were beating a snake with sticks out of fear of being bitten, showing them that one who desires happiness for oneself should not harm other lives. This reminds us that wanting happiness is not wrong, but we must know how to choose the way by which we gain it. If gaining it means that others must suffer pain, live in fear or be troubled, we should stop and ask whether we are creating happiness or creating causes of suffering for one another.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑The happiness of not harming begins with our own peace of mind. When we do not kill, do not harm and do not make anyone's pain a source of amusement, we have reason to recall our own conduct with an untroubled heart. Although we cannot make everyone love us, we can choose not to create enmity by harming them. Loving-kindness and honesty also help life together to rest on trust. As for the result in the future, the verse declares that one who seeks happiness without harming will find happiness after leaving this world.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๒When a person blindly does evil without knowing it is wrong, that evil does not simply disappear. When the time comes for the results of the deed to arrive, burning remorse torments them severely. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Dhammapada:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒To 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.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒The 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.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒The 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.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn daily life, a student who leaves a report until the night before it is due may lose sleep and have no time to check and revise it. Someone who prepares a school application on the last day may be unable to fix things in time if documents turn out to be missing. Someone who knows the roof is leaking but does not deal with it may have belongings damaged when the rain comes. But those who plan and do their work step by step in advance have the chance to work carefully and to deal better with unexpected problems.

สรุปTo conclude: We should therefore train ourselves to set priorities: what is important, what is urgent and what must be done first, and then set aside time to work on it consistently. If a task is large, we should divide it into parts and do it gradually, not wait until we must rush it all at once. When we meet obstacles, we should promptly deal with them or seek advice. Doing our duties at the proper time helps reduce trouble both for ourselves and for the community. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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