The Buddha Praises the Wise: Skillfully Knowing the Path and Non-Path

People often assume that visiting a temple, listening to the Dharma, or performing good deeds constitutes the path. Yet, these very actions can become "non-path" if the inner motivation is not pure. The story of Bhikkhuni Khema, praised by the Buddha in the Dhammapada, reveals a profound lesson on using wisdom to distinguish between the path and non-path.

One Evening on Vulture Peak Mountain

Bhikkhuni Khema, a nun endowed with great supernatural powers, wished to visit the Buddha. As she flew near Vulture Peak Mountain, she saw devas gathered densely to listen to the Dharma. She thought, "The Buddha is teaching the devas at a higher level; I should not intrude." So, she withdrew. King Sakka, ruler of the devas, then asked the Buddha about her. The Buddha praised her, saying, "She who has deep wisdom, skillfully knows the path and non-path, and attains the supreme fruit—I call her a Brahmin."

Khema possessed not only supernatural powers but also the wisdom to know when to appear and when to step back. This was her skillful knowledge of the path and non-path.

What Is the Path? What Is Non-Path?

The path does not lie in external forms. Two people may go together to hear a dharma talk, yet one sincerely wishes for their friend to understand the teachings, while the other invites them merely to gain favor or cheat in a business contract. Although the action is identical, the differing inner motivations make one act the path and the other non-path. Venerable Thich Chan Quang emphasized this point clearly.

"If you genuinely wish for your friend to understand the Dharma so they may practice and attain liberation, that is the path. But if there is another hidden reason lurking behind it, it immediately becomes non-path."

We are often deceived by superficial appearances. Wearing robes, chanting sutras, or giving talks may seem spiritual, yet some do so for the sake of the Dharma, while others seek fame and profit. Similarly, helping others might stem from a desire to use martial arts skills acquired over years, rather than arising from true compassion.

The Trap of Fame and Profit

Venerable Chan Quang recounted an incident where someone invited him to build a temple abroad, claiming the project would bring eternal fame. He remained silent until he heard the word "fame," then gently reminded the person, "Do not say that, for it reflects greed for fame. If the mind craves recognition, even slightly, it corrupts the heart instantly."

Practitioners must be extremely cautious. A subtle thought desiring respect or offerings can turn an entire life of monasticism into non-path. Therefore, we must constantly examine our minds, especially when living among those driven by ambition and competition.

The Eye of an Arhat

A wise person can dissect a single action into a hundred parts to discern which aspect is the path and which is non-path. For instance, in a Zen story, a master struck a disciple who was gazing at women, accidentally causing the disciple’s death. Outsiders viewed this as cruel and non-path. However, ultimately, ten disciples attained enlightenment through that master’s strictness. An action appearing externally as non-path may internally embody the path of a true teacher. We cannot fully distinguish these nuances without possessing the wisdom of an Arhat.

Practicing Discriminating Wisdom in Daily Life

The greatest lesson today is to look at motivation, not just action. In every word and deed each day, ask yourself, "Why am I doing this? For the Dharma or for fame?" An offering of rice, a recited sutra, or help given to another—if born from a selfless mind—is the path. If motivated by a desire for repayment, it is non-path. Make a vow to nurture wisdom in every moment, becoming "skilled in knowing the path and non-path" like Bhikkhuni Khema, worthy of the Buddha’s praise.