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 concisely sums up the principle of association: people tend to become like those they associate with closely, because living together passes thoughts and habits from one to another.

ขยายความบทตั้งLiving together brings about natural learning. We absorb the ways of thinking, speaking, values and behaviour of those close to us without intending to. Diligent friends lead us to be diligent; lazy friends lead us to be lazy. Friends who look on the bright side give us encouragement; friends who like to complain lead us to see things negatively too. Choosing companions is therefore the same as choosing what kind of person we will become in the future.

ขยายความบทตั้งThis saying does not mean that people have no choice and must always change according to those around them. Those with mindfulness and firm principles can preserve their goodness even in a bad environment, and may even be an example that helps others change. But for ordinary people, especially those still at the age of learning, choosing good companions is the safest and most effective way.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๑A wise person should choose to make friends with those who have faith, whose virtue is dear to them, who are wise and learned, because association with such good people brings prosperity. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Theragāthā:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑To explain: This saying clearly states four qualities of friends worth associating with and shows that associating with such people brings prosperity.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑The first quality is faith: believing in what is right, in doing good and in the results of good. The second is lovable virtue: behaving well in body and speech so as to be loved by others. The third is wisdom: knowing how to reflect on reasons and distinguish right from wrong. The fourth is being learned (bahussuta): having studied much and having broad knowledge. Those with these qualities are good friends (kalyāṇamitta) who help us develop in mind, conduct and knowledge.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๑These four qualities support one another. Faith without wisdom to guide it may become blind belief; wisdom without virtue may be used wrongly; great knowledge without faith in goodness may not lead to practice. Those who have all four are therefore rare friends worth keeping. Besides choosing such friends, we should also develop these qualities in ourselves, so as to be good friends to others.

ประโยคสะพาน + ที่มา ๒When a person knows how to avoid the wicked, chooses to associate with the good, and puts the counsel of those good people into practice, their life proceeds on the right path and the happiness they gain is firm and lasting. This accords with the Buddha's saying found in Khuddaka Nikāya, Theragāthā:

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒To explain: This saying sets out the complete process of choosing companions, from avoiding bad friends and approaching good people to putting the good people's advice into practice.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒This saying has three successive steps. First, avoid bad friends, that is, keep away from those who lead towards decline. Second, associate with the highest persons, that is, approach those who have virtue and wisdom and are good examples. Third, abide by their counsel, that is, listen to their advice and actually put it into practice. This third step is very important, because being close to good people without following their advice does not bring the full benefit.

อธิบายบทเชื่อม ๒"Unshakable happiness" means happiness that does not waver or rise and fall with external things. In the higher Dhamma it means the happiness of liberation; in daily life it means the happiness that comes from living rightly, without trouble following afterwards. Such happiness arises more easily when one has good friends (kalyāṇamitta) to guide one.

ตัวอย่างในชีวิตIn daily life, a student who joins a group of friends who love reading comes to love reading too. Someone working in a team with a strong sense of responsibility learns responsibility from teammates. Someone who spends time online with groups that use coarse language and violence may gradually come to see such things as normal. The environment we choose has no small effect on us.

สรุปTo conclude: Those who wish to be good should therefore choose good people as friends and always check the direction in which those around them are leading them. This accords with the Dhamma saying set forth as the theme at the beginning:

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