Numbered Discourses 6.46

5. About Dhammika

By Mahācunda

So I have heard. At one time Venerable Mahācunda was staying in the land of the Cetis at Sahajāti. There he addressed the bhikkhus: “Friends, bhikkhus!”

“Friend,” they replied. Venerable Mahācunda said this:

“Take a case where bhikkhus who practice discernment of principles rebuke bhikkhus who practice jhāna meditation: ‘They say, “We practice jhāna meditation! We practice jhāna meditation!” And they meditate and concentrate and contemplate and ruminate. Why do they practice jhāna meditation? In what way do they practice jhāna meditation? How do they practice jhāna meditation?’ In this case the bhikkhus who practice discernment of principles are not inspired, and the bhikkhus who practice jhāna meditation are not inspired. And they’re not acting for the welfare and happiness of the people, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.

Now, take a case where bhikkhus who practice jhāna meditation rebuke bhikkhus who practice discernment of principles: ‘They say, “We practice discernment of principles! We practice discernment of principles!” But they’re restless, insolent, fickle, scurrilous, loose-tongued, unmindful, lacking situational awareness and immersion, with straying minds and undisciplined faculties. Why do they practice discernment of principles? In what way do they practice discernment of principles? How do they practice discernment of principles?’ In this case the bhikkhus who practice jhāna meditation are not inspired, and the bhikkhus who practice discernment of principles are not inspired. And they’re not acting for the welfare and happiness of the people, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.

Now, take a case where bhikkhus who practice discernment of principles praise only others like them, not bhikkhus who practice jhāna meditation. In this case the bhikkhus who practice discernment of principles are not inspired, and the bhikkhus who practice jhāna meditation are not inspired. And they’re not acting for the welfare and happiness of the people, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.

And take a case where bhikkhus who practice jhāna meditation praise only others like them, not bhikkhus who practice discernment of principles. In this case the bhikkhus who practice jhāna meditation are not inspired, and the bhikkhus who practice discernment of principles are not inspired. And they’re not acting for the welfare and happiness of the people, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.

So you should train like this: ‘As bhikkhus who practice discernment of principles, we will praise bhikkhus who practice jhāna meditation.’ That’s how you should train. Why is that? Because it’s incredibly rare to find individuals in the world who have direct meditative experience of the deathless element.

So you should train like this: ‘As bhikkhus who practice jhāna meditation, we will praise bhikkhus who practice discernment of principles.’ That’s how you should train. Why is that? Because it’s incredibly rare to find individuals in the world who see the meaning of a deep saying with penetrating wisdom.”