I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Sāvatthī at Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. And on that occasion, a large number of boys on the road between Sāvatthī & Jeta’s Grove were hitting a snake with a stick. Then early in the morning the Blessed One adjusted his under robe and–carrying his bowl & robes–went into Sāvatthī for alms. He saw the large number of boys on the road between Sāvatthī & Jeta’s Grove hitting the snake with a stick.
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion exclaimed:
Whoever hits with a stick
beings desiring ease,
when he himself is looking for ease,
will meet with no ease after death.
Whoever doesn’t hit with a stick
beings desiring ease,
when he himself is looking for ease,
will meet with ease after death.1
Whoever hits with a stick
beings desiring ease,
when he himself is looking for ease,
will meet with no ease after death.
Whoever doesn’t hit with a stick
beings desiring ease,
when he himself is looking for ease,
will meet with ease after death.1
Whoever doesn’t hit with a stick
beings desiring ease,
when he himself is looking for ease,
will meet with ease after death.1
Notes
1. These verses are identical with Dhp 131—132.