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Verses 87, 88 and 89: The Story of Five Hundred Visiting Bhikkhus

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (87), (88) and (89) of
this book. with reference to five hundred visiting Bhikkhus.

Five hundred Bhikkhus who had spent the vassa in Kosala came to pay homage to the Buddha at
the Jetavana monastery, at the end of the vassa.

The Buddha uttered the following three verses to suit their various temperaments.

Verse 87 & 88. The man of wisdom, leaving the home of craving and having Nibbana as his goal,
should give up dark, evil ways and cultivate pure, good ones. He should seek great delight in
solitude, detachment and Nibbana, which an ordinary man finds so difficult to enjoy. He should
also give up sensual pleasures, and clinging to nothing, should cleanse himself of all impurities of
the mind.

Verse 89. Those, with mind well-developed in the seven Factors of Enlightenment (bojjhanga),
having rid themselves of all craving, rejoice in their abandonment of attachment. Such men, with
all moral intoxicants eradicated, and powerful (with the light of Arahatta Magga-nana), have
realized Nibbana in this world (i.e., with Khandha aggregates remaining).

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