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 statement must be read together with its surrounding story, because the word "if" here sets up a condition for examining a view about past kamma; it is not a conclusion that all suffering is the repayment of a kammic debt.

ขยายความบทตั้งIn the Mahābodhi Jātaka, the Bodhisatta speaks these words to refute those who believe that all happiness and suffering arise from kamma done in the past. He points out that if one holds that a person who is harmed is merely repaying an old kammic debt, the question arises: does the one who does harm in the present bear no responsibility for his own actions? This statement therefore aims to show the flaw in appealing to past kamma to the point of overlooking present actions.

ขยายความบทตั้งThe important lesson is that we should not hastily conclude that our own or others' suffering arises entirely from past kamma, and we should not use kamma as an excuse for harming anyone or for ignoring anyone's distress. Present actions still matter. Those who do wrong must take responsibility and make amends, while those who suffer should receive help given with kindness.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑A fool of poor wisdom often does not realize it while doing evil, because they cannot see its danger, but when the results appear, they are tormented by their own deeds as if burnt by fire. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Dhammapada:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To 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 ๑The 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 ๑The 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 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.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn daily life, when we meet with disappointment or loss, we may train ourselves to accept the truth so as to regain our mindfulness, and then consider what can still be put right. Someone who is ill should seek treatment, someone who has made mistakes at work should find the cause and improve, and someone who is being harmed should protect himself and seek help. Patience should therefore go together with solving problems, not letting suffering continue because one thinks one must pay off one's kamma.

สรุปTo conclude: Studying this verse together with its context reminds us to understand kamma carefully and not to attribute everything to the past to the point of neglecting our duties in the present. When suffering arises, what we should do is keep mindful, not respond with evil, remedy the causes that can be remedied and help one another with kindness, because how we choose to think, speak and act today is what we should attend to and take responsibility for. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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