Vị tỳ kheo, đứa con và nỗi hối hận được Phật rửa sạch

Early morning, white dew covered the path leading back to the bhikkhu's family home. Birds sang clearly among the ancient trees, and the scent of incense drifted through the wealthy house where his parents now grew old. The bhikkhu stood at the threshold, his saffron robe wrinkled from the long journey.

In the early days of the Buddha, before the rules were established, this monk was an only child, married but childless, who had left home to follow the Buddha. His aging parents held great wealth and feared having no heir, so they pressured him to provide them with a grandchild.

Inside, his mother gripped his sleeve, her voice trembling: "You became a monk and left no child; our wealth will go to the state. Please, you must give us a child." The bhikkhu choked up: "But I have taken the vow of celibacy..." His father snapped: "How can the family line end!" He weakened and stayed with his wife. A child was conceived, and then he departed, his heart heavy.

Returning to the Sangha, he could not find peace in his practice, his mind tormented. His fellow monks asked: "Why are you so afflicted?" He whispered: "I know I was wrong for breaking my vow of celibacy." They advised: "You should practice repentance." He shook his head: "My sorrow will not cease." Then he went to the Buddha and confessed: "Bhagavā, I allowed my wife to bear a child. I am filled with remorse." The Buddha spoke gently: "Recognizing one's error is a sign of progress." The bhikkhu wept: "I beg you to cleanse this wrongdoing." The Buddha gave a dharma talk praising the celibate life, and said: "Henceforth, I will establish the precept. Now you may practice in peace."

The turning point was the Buddha's clear teaching, and the remorse dissolved like mist.

The bhikkhu found peace, his illness healed, and he advanced in practice, eventually attaining realization. The Buddha also established the Vinaya rules from this time.

Later, the Sangha upheld the strict precepts. He became a saint, and his past error left no trace.

The meaning of this story: Remorse arising from a conscience that recognizes wrongdoing is a sign of moral awareness. When one sincerely repents and hears the true Dharma, unwholesome states of mind are purified, and this helps establish the discipline of the precepts.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thích Chân Quang