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 verse means that when we live among people who do not yet know us, we should behave humbly, not be conceited, and be patient when they do not honour us. Its sense may be rendered thus: in a place where people do not know a person by birth or by training, that person, when living among people who do not know him, should not be conceited. The word "jāti" here means birth or lineage, while "vinaya" means education and training, and the conduct in which one has been trained.

ขยายความบทตั้งThis verse comes from the Daddara Jātaka, which teaches about reducing conceit and exercising forbearance when living in a foreign place. This saying teaches us to be humble, especially when we go to live among people who do not yet know us. Even if we come from a good family, are knowledgeable, or have been respected elsewhere, we should not expect everyone to know and honour us. When they do not yet know our good qualities, we should not be angry or show conceit, but should let them come to know us through good conduct.

ขยายความบทตั้งOne who has good qualities within does not need to exalt oneself and belittle others in order to be accepted. If one knows how to speak politely, listen to others and carry out one's duties responsibly, one naturally gives people the opportunity to see one's worth. Such humility does not lower one's own value; rather, it guards the mind so that conceit does not lead to anger and conflict. Māna, or conceit, is a subtle defilement, so the student should practise reducing it through nivāta, that is, humility, which is one of the 38 blessings. Yet not being conceited does not mean looking down on oneself or abandoning what is right. One who lives in a foreign place should still keep one's precepts and goodness, only without raising one's status to belittle others.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑One who keeps company with the wicked cannot find true happiness and brings harm and loss upon themselves, like a chameleon that enters a company of monitor lizards and shares in their danger. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Jātaka, Ekanipāta:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: This saying warns us to be careful in choosing companions, because the people we associate with influence the course of our lives. If we associate with those who like to do evil and are taken in by them or follow them, trouble may come upon ourselves and those around us.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑The commentary on the Godha Jātaka tells that the son of the king of the iguanas made friends with a chameleon, and would not listen even though his father warned him against it. When he grew up, the young iguana still hugged the chameleon as they used to do in play, until the chameleon was hurt and thought of destroying the iguanas. So he led a hunter to the colony's dwelling, bringing about its ruin. The iguana king, however, had prepared an escape route in advance and so escaped the danger. This story warns that associating with others without care and without heeding warnings can bring danger upon many people.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑"Complete happiness" here can be simply explained as happiness in full. One who associates with evil people may gain some fun or benefit, but if that fun leads one into wrongdoing, or that benefit is gained dishonestly, it becomes a cause of trouble later. One should therefore consider carefully which way the people one associates with are leading one: whether they encourage one to be honest, diligent and responsible, or to deceive, harm others and abandon one's duties.

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, a monk who goes to study or to spend the rains retreat at another monastery should follow the rules of that monastery and perform the duties as a newcomer, not boasting of his years as a monk, his Pali grade or the position he held at his former monastery; he will then be dear to the community. A working person who moves to a new organisation, even if he was previously a head, should learn with humility how work is done there. And a student who changes schools, if he opens his heart to getting to know new friends politely and does not take offence that they do not yet regard him as important, will adapt more quickly than one who presents himself as superior.

สรุปTo conclude: When we go to live in a new place or work with people with whom we are not yet familiar, we should restrain our conduct, be patient, and not take offence merely because they do not give us the importance we expect. Moreover, even when we are among people who already know and honour us, we should still maintain humility, because good qualities become all the more beautiful when joined with freedom from conceit. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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