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 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.

ขยายความบทตั้งThis 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.

ขยายความบทตั้งThe 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 ๑All beings alike desire happiness. One who seeks their own happiness by harming and hurting others therefore does not find true happiness, either in this world or in the next. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Dhammapada:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To 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 ๑The 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 ๑One 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.

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.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตTraining in not harming can begin with things close at hand: when we see small creatures, we do not torment them or kill them for fun; when we trade, we do not deceive or take advantage of customers; when we compete in sports, we aim to use our ability, not to injure our opponents. A student who wants to do well studies diligently and does not slander or obstruct his friends, and knows how to rejoice when his friends do well. Our success need not be gained at the cost of harm to anyone; we can make progress while preserving goodwill and kindness towards one another.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who hope for happiness should therefore keep the precepts and cultivate loving-kindness together. The first precept is to abstain from taking life, while loving-kindness nourishes the heart to be gentle and to wish other lives to be happy. Before doing anything, ask yourself: if I were on the receiving end of this, how would I feel? When we know that others also feel pain, feel fear and love life just as we do, we should restrain our hands, our words and our minds, and choose to seek happiness by honest means without harming one another. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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