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Verse 50: The Story of the Ascetic Paveyya

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (50) of this book, with
reference to the ascetic Paveyya and a rich lady.

A rich lady of Savatthi had adopted Paveyya, an ascetic, as a son and was looking after his
needs. When she heard her neighbors talking in praise of the Buddha, she wished very much
to invite him to her house to offer him alms-food. So, the Buddha was invited and choice food
was offered. As the Buddha was expressing appreciation (anumodana), Paveyya, who was in
the next room, fumed with rage. He blamed and cursed the lady for venerating the Buddha.
The lady heard him cursing and shouting and felt so ashamed that she could not concentrate
on what the Buddha was saying. The Buddha told her not to be concerned about those curses
and threats, but to concentrate only on her own good and bad deeds.

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows: Verse 50: One should not consider the faults of
others, nor their doing or not doing good or bad deeds. One should consider only whether one has
done or not done good or bad deeds.

At the end of the discourse the rich lady attained Sotapatti Fruition.

Translated by Daw Mya Tin, M.A.,
Burma Pitaka Association, Rangoon, Burma 1986.