Bound by Ties, Freed by Wisdom (Dhammapada 90) Reflections by Bhante Dr. Chandima

1. Compassionate Service Does Not Always Mean Immediate Presence

Jīvaka’s anxiety arose not from negligence, but from care and responsibility. In modern life—whether in healthcare, teaching, caregiving, or leadership—we often feel guilty when we cannot be everywhere at once. This story reminds us that right intention and sincere effort matter more than physical immediacy. Ethical service is not measured by perfection.

At the same time, the story suggests that the situation might have been better if Jīvaka had planned his timing more carefully. From this, we can also learn the importance of knowing when and how to help others. Sometimes we genuinely wish to help, but because we fail to organize our time and responsibilities wisely, we are unable to act effectively. As a result, others may suffer greatly, and in some cases, even lose their lives.

2. Skillful Care Must Be Guided by Wisdom, Not Fear

Jīvaka treated the Buddha as he would any other patient, guided by medical knowledge rather than personal reverence. Yet later, he was troubled by the fear that he might have caused harm. The story highlights a tension that remains deeply relevant today: the balance between professional competence and emotional over-identification. True skill lies in acting wisely and responsibly without being driven by anxiety, guilt, or self-blame.

At the same time, the story underscores the importance of time management and thoughtful organization. Competence alone is not enough; ethical care also requires planning, prioritizing, and knowing when to act. Without these, even well-intentioned service can fall short, causing distress to both the caregiver and those who depend on timely help.

3. The Awakened Mind Is Not Defined by Circumstances

Though physically injured, the Buddha declares that suffering is extinguished. This does not deny pain, but reveals a profound truth: pain and suffering are not identical. In contemporary terms, mental resilience, emotional regulation, and freedom from inner reactivity are possible even when external conditions are imperfect.

4. Reassurance Is a Form of Compassion

The Buddha’s awareness of Jīvaka’s troubled thoughts and his gentle reassurance show that care flows in both directions. He attends not only to physical injury but also to the mental burden carried by the healer. In this moment, compassion is expressed not through instruction or correction, but through understanding and calm presence.

In modern relationships, leadership, healthcare, and mentoring, this story reminds us that many people carry silent anxieties—fear of having failed, of having caused harm, or of not having done enough. Acknowledging these unseen worries is itself a profound act of kindness. Often, reassurance that one has acted with sincerity and care can be more healing than advice, solutions, or technical fixes alone.

5. Abhijjhā — Covetousness as a Psychological Trap

Abhijjhā is not merely the desire for possessions; it is the habit of measuring one’s worth through comparison with others. In modern life, this appears as social-media envy, career rivalry, or quiet resentment toward the success of others.

In this story, when the Buddha is asked whether he is in pain, he responds in a way that reveals the true quality of an arahant. An arahant—a category that includes the Buddha himself—is free from abhijjhā, one of the fundamental ties (ganthā) that bind beings to suffering. Because there is no comparison, no grasping, and no self-measurement, even physical pain does not give rise to mental agitation. The Buddha’s response thus illustrates not denial of pain, but freedom from the covetous and comparative tendencies that normally intensify suffering.

6. Vyāpāda — Ill Will as Self-Poison

Ill will (vyāpāda) binds the mind more tightly than any external enemy. Anger, resentment, and silent hostility drain emotional energy and distort perception. Devadatta’s act of violence shows the destructive trajectory of vyāpāda when it is left unchecked.

In contrast, the Buddha embodies complete freedom from ill will. Even when physically injured, he responds without anger, blame, or resentment, demonstrating the mental composure of one who has abandoned this bond. This is the defining quality of an arahant: while pain may arise in the body, hostility does not arise in the mind.

In modern life—especially in healing professions, leadership, and family relationships—this teaching remains vital. Emotional restraint, patience, and compassion are not signs of weakness, but of inner mastery. Choosing understanding over reactivity prevents harm and preserves clarity, allowing care and leadership to remain ethical even under pressure.

7. Sīlabbata-parāmāsa — When Discipline Becomes Alienating

This tie arises when rules, rituals, or professional roles are followed without wisdom, reflection, or flexibility. In contemporary contexts, it appears as moral rigidity, institutional burnout, or blind adherence to procedures that lack human sensitivity.

The Buddha exemplifies freedom from this bondage. He does not cling to rules or ritual forms for their own sake, nor does he demand reverence that obstructs wise action. Instead, he consistently affirms discernment (paññā) over mere conformity, showing that discipline is meant to serve liberation rather than restrict it. True ethics, as embodied by the Buddha, free the mind and support compassionate action; false discipline alienates and binds.

8. Saccābhinivesa — The Addiction to Being Right

The belief that “only what I believe is true” fuels ideological conflict, academic arrogance, and social polarization in the modern world. This fixation on views (diṭṭhi-abhinivesa) hardens identity around opinions and turns understanding into rivalry.

The Buddha embodies complete freedom from this bond. He does not cling to views as possessions, nor does he assert truth through domination or dogmatism. Instead, he teaches in a way that invites inquiry, dialogue, and personal verification. Because his wisdom is grounded in direct insight rather than rigid certainty, it remains open, compassionate, and responsive. Freedom from this bond allows understanding to deepen, dialogue to flourish, and healing and growth to become possible.