The Quiet Strength of the Wise: From Hunger to Equanimity at Verañjā (Dhammapada 83) Reflections by Bhante Dr. Chandima

1. True Nobility Lies in Non-Clinging to the Five Aggregates

The sappurisā (noble ones) “give up everything everywhere,” meaning they no longer cling to the five aggregates — form (rūpa), feeling (vedanā), perception (saññā), volitional formations (saṅkhārā), and consciousness (viññāṇa). Their freedom is rooted in wisdom that sees these aggregates as impermanent (anicca), unsatisfactory (dukkha), and not-self (anattā). True nobility, therefore, is the abandonment of identification with these aggregates and resting in detachment.

2. Equanimity in the Face of Life’s Dualities

The Buddha teaches that the unwise oscillate between happiness and unhappiness, while the wise abide in steadiness through upekkhā (equanimity), born of insight into the impermanence of all conditioned phenomena. To avoid falling into this duality of mental states, one needs to cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path, observing both pleasure and pain as transient experiences rather than sources of clinging. When joy arises, it is seen without clinging; when suffering occurs, it is faced without resistance. This balanced awareness dissolves the pull of craving and resentment, revealing that all mental states are conditioned and fleeting. In understanding their nature through wisdom (paññā), the mind finds calm stability—neither exalting in gain nor despairing in loss—thus dwelling in the serene freedom of the Middle Path.

3. The Illusory Nature of Overindulgence in Sensual Pleasures

The Buddha does not reject all sensual enjoyment (kāma), but cautions against overindulgence and unmindful craving. The noble ones do not speak or act with longing for sensual delight because they understand its fleeting nature and its tendency to enslave the mind. For lay Buddhists, experiencing ethical kāma—that is, wholesome, mindful enjoyment within the bounds of morality (sīla)—is not wrong; it becomes problematic only when pleasure dominates one’s thoughts, speech, and actions. Thus, the path is not repression but a right balance—enjoying life’s beauty without attachment or excess.

4. Contentment Amid Hardship

The monks at Verañjā endured hunger and neglect with quiet dignity. They neither complained nor sought pity, accepting even shrivelled grain with gratitude. The Buddha praised this humility and their freedom from frustration, contrasting it with those who became noisy and indulgent once comfort returned. Their conduct reveals that true disciples meet adversity with patience (khanti) and composure, embodying the spirit of renunciation and contentment (santuṭṭhī) that sustains the noble life.

5. The Wise Embody Emotional Balance

The paṇḍitā (wise ones) “do not display highs or lows” (na dassayanti uccāvacaṃ) because they have seen through the instability of worldly conditions. They understand that gain and loss, praise and blame, pleasure and pain are impermanent waves upon the surface of experience. Those who chase after happiness or resist sorrow become bound to these fluctuations, creating cycles of expectation and disappointment. To avoid being trapped in such emotional swings, one must cultivate the Noble Eightfold path (middle path). This steady balance is upekkhā, equanimity—the quiet strength of a mind unshaken by the world, serene in knowing that all experiences, pleasant or painful, simply arise and pass away.

6. The Test of Character Appears in Comfort, Not in Hardship

In times of difficulty, people often turn inward, become reflective, and even rediscover their spiritual strength. But when comfort and prosperity return, discipline tends to dissolve, and mindfulness weakens. The followers who became noisy and indulgent after the famine mirror how many of us behave when life gets easier—we become careless with our time, words, and intentions. In modern life, this truth unfolds when success, wealth, or recognition blinds us to humility. To stay grounded, one must practice gratitude daily, reminding oneself that comfort is not a sign of superiority but a condition to be used wisely. The simplicity of a lifestyle, minimalism, and conscious generosity help us remain truly happy. 

7. True Refinement Lies in Speech and Conduct

The Buddha’s words that noble ones “do not prattle about sensual overindulgence” (na kāmakāmā lapayanti) point to an enduring challenge of modern communication. Today, social media thrives on endless chatter—boasting, gossip, and self-promotion—feeding the ego’s hunger for attention. The Dhamma teaches that speech can either purify or poison the heart. Cultivating refined speech means pausing before speaking, avoiding divisive or vain talk, and using words that heal or uplift. In digital life, this means choosing silence over impulsive reaction, discernment over display, and sincerity over spectacle. When speech becomes mindful, relationships deepen, conflicts lessen, and the mind rests in dignity rather than distraction.

8. Complaining Over “Not Having” vs. Understanding the Situation

In modern life, people often complain when things don’t go their way, yet constant complaining only deepens dissatisfaction. The monks at Verañjā, though facing famine, accepted their situation calmly instead of lamenting. This shows that while voicing concerns can be useful, wisdom lies in understanding the situation before reacting. By pausing to ask, “Is this within my control?” we shift from blame to clarity. Complaining without insight drains energy; understanding transforms frustration into learning. When we see things as conditioned and impermanent, dissatisfaction becomes a moment for mindfulness, not misery.