Hoa Vo Uu (Buddha Dharma Education Association)
Venerable Shravasti Dhammika
The Buddha’s Words of Wisdom
Venerable Vakkali was staying at the Potters’ Shed and was suffering from a disease, sick and afflicted. Then he called his attendant and said: “Friend, go to the Lord; in my name worship his feet, tell him I am suffering from a disease and suggest that it would be good if he, out of compassion, were to come and visit me.”
So the attendant went to the Lord and did what he was asked. In silence the Lord consented, and dressing himself and taking his robe and bowl, set out.
Now Vakkali saw the Lord coming from a distance and struggle to rise from his bed. But the Lord saw him and said: “Enough, Vakkali. Remain in your bed. There are seats made ready. I will sit there.” Having seated himself, the Lord addressed Vakkali and said:“I hope you are bearing up. I hope you are enduring. Are the pains decreasing or abating? Do they seem to be decreasing or abating?”
“No, Lord, I am not bearing up or enduring, the pains do not decrease, neither do they grow.”
“Then, have you any doubt or remorse?”
“Indeed. Lord, I have no doubt or remorse.”
“Have you anything concerning virtue to reproach yourself about?”
“No Lord, I have nothing to reproach myself about.”
“Then you must have some worry, something to regret?”
“Concerning that, for a long time I have been wanting to see the Lord but I have not had the strength of body to do so.”
“Hush, Vakkali. Why do you want to see this dirty body of mine? He who sees the Dhamma sees me and he who sees me sees the Dhamma. Truly, seeing the Dhamma, one sees me and seeing me, one sees the Dhamma.”
