Muni's PlayThis sutta from the Book of the Threes distinguishes a fool (बाल - bāla) from a wise person (पण्डित - paṇḍita) entirely based on how they relate to transgressions or offenses (अच्चय - accaya / Skt: अत्यय - atyaya)—both their own and those of others.
1. The Characteristics of a Fool
A fool is defined by their inability to recognize their own mistakes, their unwillingness to make amends, and their refusal to forgive others.
Pali
“तीहि, भिक्खवे, धम्मेहि समन्नागतो बालो वेदितब्बो। कतमेहि तीहि? अच्चयं अच्चयतो न पस्सति, अच्चयं अच्चयतो दिस्वा यथाधम्मं नप्पटिकरोति, परस्स खो पन अच्चयं देसेन्तस्स यथाधम्मं नप्पटिग्गण्हाति।
इमेहि खो, भिक्खवे, तीहि धम्मेहि समन्नागतो बालो वेदितब्बो।”
Sanskrit Chaya
“त्रिभिर्भिक्षवो धर्मैः समन्वागतो बालो वेदितव्यः। कतमैस्त्रिभिः? अत्ययमत्ययतो न पश्यति, अत्ययमत्ययतो दृष्ट्वा यथाधर्मं न प्रतिकरोति, परस्य खलु पुनरत्ययं देशयतो यथाधर्मं न प्रतिगृह्णाति।
एभिः खलु भिक्षवस्त्रिभिर्धर्मैः समन्वागतो बालो वेदितव्यः।”
“Monks, one possessed of three qualities should be understood as a fool. Which three? They do not see a transgression as a transgression; seeing a transgression as a transgression, they do not make amends for it in accordance with the Dhamma; and when another confesses a transgression to them, they do not accept it in accordance with the Dhamma. One possessed of these three qualities should be understood as a fool.”
2. The Characteristics of a Wise Person
Conversely, a wise person is marked by self-awareness, the humility to correct their mistakes, and a forgiving disposition towards others.
Pali
“तीहि, भिक्खवे, धम्मेहि समन्नागतो पण्डितो वेदितब्बो। कतमेहि तीहि? अच्चयं अच्चयतो पस्सति, अच्चयं अच्चयतो दिस्वा यथाधम्मं पटिकरोति, परस्स खो पन अच्चयं देसेन्तस्स यथाधम्मं पटिग्गण्हाति।
इमेहि खो, भिक्खवे, तीहि धम्मेहि समन्नागतो पण्डितो वेदितब्बो।”
Sanskrit Chaya
“त्रिभिर्भिक्षवो धर्मैः समन्वागतः पण्डितो वेदितव्यः। कतमैस्त्रिभिः? अत्ययमत्ययतो पश्यति, अत्ययमत्ययतो दृष्ट्वा यथाधर्मं प्रतिकरोति, परस्य खलु पुनरत्ययं देशयतो यथाधर्मं प्रतिगृह्णाति।
एभिः खलु भिक्षवस्त्रिभिर्धर्मैः समन्वागतः पण्डितो वेदितव्यः।”
“Monks, one possessed of three qualities should be understood as a wise person. Which three? They see a transgression as a transgression; seeing a transgression as a transgression, they make amends for it in accordance with the Dhamma; and when another confesses a transgression to them, they accept it in accordance with the Dhamma. One possessed of these three qualities should be understood as a wise person.”
Summary of Qualities
| Quality regarding Transgressions (अच्चय / अत्यय) | The Fool (बाल / bāla) | The Wise Person (पण्डित / paṇḍita) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Recognition | Does not see a transgression as a transgression | Sees a transgression as a transgression |
| 2. Making Amends (For oneself) | Does not make amends according to the Dhamma | Makes amends according to the Dhamma |
| 3. Forgiveness (For others) | Does not accept another’s confession according to the Dhamma | Accepts another’s confession according to the Dhamma |