Dhammapada Verse 364
Dhammaramatthera Vatthu
Dhammaramo dhammarato
dhammam anuvicintayam
dhammam anussaram bhikkhu
saddhamma1 na parihayati.
Verse 364. The Monk Abides in Dhamma
The bhikkhu who in Dhamma dwells,
in Dhamma delighting and pondering,
remembering the Dhamma - he
does not decline from Dhamma True.
Explanation: The monk who abides in the Dhamma, who delights in the
Dhamma, and is ever mindful of the Dhamma, does not fall away from
the Dhamma of the virtuous.
The Story of Thera Dhammarama
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse
(364) of this book, with reference to Thera Dhammarama.
When it was made known to the disciples that the Buddha would
realize Parinibbana in four months' time, most of the puthujjana
bhikkhus (i.e., those who had not attained any of the Maggas) felt
extremely depressed and were at a loss and did not know what to do.
They just stayed close to the Buddha, hardly ever leaving his
presence. However, there was a bhikkhu by the name of Dhammarama
who kept to himself and did not go near the Buddha. His intention
was to strive most ardently to attain arahatship before the passing
away of the Buddha. So he strove hard in Insight Meditation
Practice. Other bhikkhus, not understanding his attitude and his
noble ambition, misunderstood his behaviour.
Those bhikkhus took Dhammarama to the Buddha and said to the
Enlightened One, "Venerable Sir! This bhikkhu does not seem to have
any affection or regard or reverence for you; he has been staying
by himself while all the time other bhikkhus are staying close to
Your Venerable presence." When other bhikkhus had said everything
they wanted to say, Dhammarama respectfully explained to the Buddha
why he had not come to see the Buddha and also reported that he had
been striving his utmost in Insight Meditation Practice.
The Buddha was satisfied and was very pleased with the explanation
and conduct of Dhammarama and he said, "My son, Dhammarama, you
have done very well. A bhikkhu who loves and respects me should act
like you. Those who made offerings of flowers, scents and incense
to me are not really paying me homage. Only those who practise the
Dhamma are the ones who truly pay homage to me."
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
Verse 364: The bhikkhu who abides in the Dhamma, who delights in
the Dhamma, who meditates on the Dhamma, and is ever mindful of the
Dhamma, does not fall away from the Dhamma of the virtuous.
At the end of the discourse Thera Dhammarama attained
arahatship.
1. saddhamma: the Dhamma of the virtuous; i.e., the thirty-seven
Factors of Enlightenment (Bodhipakkhiya Dhamma) and the nine
Transcendentals (Lokuttara Dhamma).