Too Many Rules | Ukkanthitabhikkhu Vatthu | Dhammapada V.36 | Animated Buddhist Stories

Introduction

During the Buddha's time, a young son of a banker from Savatthi approached a monk who frequently visited his home. The young man inquired about what he should do to attain liberation from suffering in life. The monk advised him to first divide his property into three parts: one part for business, another for supporting his family, and the last for charity. As he executed this plan, the monk urged him to remain mindful of suffering—identifying it, observing its cause within his mind, and reflecting on its consequences. The monk instructed him to observe impermanence and acknowledge that all things contain both desirable and undesirable aspects.

Following the monk’s guidance, the young man practiced mindfulness and eventually returned to seek further counsel. The monk advised him to take refuge in the Triple Gem: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. He was instructed to understand the Buddha as a self-awakened one, a knower of all things, and the unexcelled trainer of those capable of being trained. He was encouraged to take refuge in the Dharma, recognizing it as well-expounded, accessible at any time, and understandable by each individual. Lastly, he learned to respect the Sangha, acknowledging the community of enlightened monks as worthy fields of merit.

The monk advised him to observe the five precepts: refraining from taking life, stealing, sexual misconduct, harmful speech, and intoxicants that lead to heedlessness. As he continued his practice, the young man diligently observed suffering and impermanence throughout all facets of his life.

Eventually, the monk encouraged him to observe the ten precepts and consider becoming a samana or novice monk. After undertaking this step, the young man sought further guidance on his next course of action. The monk deemed him ready for full ordination, and thus the young man became a monk.

As a newly ordained monk, he was introduced to the Abhidhamma, the teachings imparted by the Buddha to spiritual beings in the heavens. However, the young monk felt overwhelmed by the complexity of these teachings. Another elder taught him about the Vinaya, the monastic rules governing a monk's actions, but again he was beset by feelings of being overwhelmed. The numerous rules and their complexities made him feel stifled, as if there was no freedom even to stretch his arms.

Disillusioned, the young monk began to doubt his decision to ordain, contemplating a return to the life of a householder. Troubled by these thoughts, he neglected his duties and training, resulting in physical deterioration.

Upon learning of the young monk's predicament, the Buddha approached him to offer guidance. The Buddha inquired if it was true that he felt overwhelmed, to which the monk replied affirmatively. The Buddha advised him that instead of focusing on many complexities, he should concentrate on just one thing—his own mind. The emphasis was placed on paying attention to the thoughts and feelings occurring within his mind, recognizing the viewpoints that generated those thoughts, and becoming aware of what actions and thoughts led to his suffering.

The Buddha simplified the monk's path to enlightenment, reminding him that his sole responsibility was to guard and observe his own mind. By heeding this advice, the young monk, along with many others present, eventually attained arahantship, achieving full enlightenment.

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Keywords

• Buddha
• Liberation
• Suffering
• Mindfulness
• Triple Gem
• Dharma
• Sangha
• Five Precepts
• Ten Precepts
• Abhidhamma
• Vinaya
• Enlightenment

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FAQ

Q: What was the young man seeking at the beginning of the story?
A: The young man was seeking guidance on how to achieve liberation from suffering in life.

Q: What did the monk advise the young man to do with his property?
A: The monk advised him to divide his property into three parts for business, family support, and charity.

Q: What key aspects did the monk encourage the young man to observe?
A: The monk encouraged the young man to observe suffering, its causes, impermanence, and the dual nature of all things.

Q: What are the Triple Gem components the young man was advised to take refuge in?
A: The components of the Triple Gem are the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

Q: What led the young monk to feel overwhelmed after ordination?
A: He felt overwhelmed by the complex teachings of the Abhidhamma and the numerous rules of the Vinaya.

Q: What advice did the Buddha give to the young monk to alleviate his feelings of overwhelm?
A: The Buddha advised him to focus solely on his mind and to observe the thoughts and feelings within it.

Q: What was the outcome for the young monk after following the Buddha's advice?
A: After following the advice, the young monk and others attained arahantship, achieving full enlightenment.