(OPRC) Lesson 107 (December 11, 2025) | Dhammapada 87-89 | Bhante Dr. G. Chandima

                           

Dhammapda 87-89
(Sayings of the Dhamma)

Paṇḍita
(Wise)

87. Kaṇhaṃ dhammaṃ vippahāya

Having abandoned the dark (unwholesome) qualities,

Sukkaṃ bhāvetha paṇḍito;
The wise person should cultivate the bright (wholesome) qualities.

Okā anokam āgamma,
Leaving behind the home (the household life) for the homeless (renunciant) state,

Viveke yattha dūramaṃ.

One abides in solitude, a state in which the ordinary mind struggles to find delight.

Full Translation:

Having abandoned the dark, unwholesome states, the wise person should cultivate what is bright and wholesome. Leaving the home for the homeless life, one dwells in solitude, a state difficult for the ordinary mind to delight in.

88. Tatrābhirati-miccheyya

There (in that solitude), one should seek delight.

Hitvā kāme akiñcano;
Having abandoned sensual pleasures, one lives as one who clings to nothing.

Pariyodapeyya attānaṃ,
One should (also) thoroughly purify oneself,

Cittaklesehi paṇḍito.

The wise one frees himself/herself from the mental defilements.

Full Translation:

There, one should seek delight in solitude. Having abandoned sensual pleasures, one lives as one who clings to nothing. One should thoroughly purify oneself, and the wise person frees oneself from the mental defilements.

89. Yesaṃ sambodhiyaṅgesu,

For those in whom the factors of enlightenment (sambojjhaṅgā)

Sammā cittaṃ subhāvitaṃ;
thoughts have been well-aligned and well-cultivated;

Ādāna paṭinissagge,
who are devoted to letting go of grasping,

Anupādāya ye ratā;
and who find joy in non-clinging;

Khīṇāsavā jutimanto,
their defilements are ended, and they are radiant;

Te loke parinibbutā.

these are the ones fully liberated in this world.

Full Translation:

For those in whom the thoughts have been well-aligned and well-cultivated within the factors of awakening, who are devoted to releasing all grasping and who find joy in non-clinging, their defilements are ended, and they shine with clarity; such beings are fully liberated in this world.

Story: Pañcasata āgantuka bhikkhu Vatthu

Notes for context: 

Kaṇha-dhamma (dark qualities)

Refers to unwholesome states (akusala): greed, anger, delusion, and behaviours rooted in these. The Buddha emphasizes that purification begins with abandonment.

Sukka-dhamma (bright qualities)

Wholesome roots (kusala): generosity, loving-kindness, wisdom.

“Cultivate” (bhāvetha) highlights ongoing practice, not a one-time event.

Okā → Anoka (home → homeless)

Symbolic of moving from worldliness to renunciation. Not only a literal monastic life, but also a shift from clinging to non-clinging.

Viveka (solitude)

Three levels:

Kāya-viveka – physical seclusion
Citta-viveka – mental seclusion from defilements
Upadhi-viveka – final liberation

Ordinary people find solitude “hard to delight in,” but a practitioner learns to appreciate its clarity.