Thus have I heard:

On one occasion, the Blessed One was residing in a village called Komadussa, in the land of the Sakyans. One morning, the Blessed One dressed, took his bowl and outer robe, and entered Komadussa village for alms.

At that time, the brahmins and householders of Komadussa village had gathered in the meeting hall for some business, while a light rain was falling from the sky.

The Blessed One approached that meeting hall. The brahmins and householders of Komadussa village saw the Blessed One coming from afar and said:

"What are these shaven-headed ascetics worth? How could they possibly understand the rules of a gathering?"

Hearing this, the Blessed One replied to the brahmins and householders of Komadussa village with this verse:

"That is not a true gathering where the good are absent,

Those who do not speak the true Dharma are not truly good.

Only those who have abandoned greed, hatred, and delusion,

And speak the true Dharma are truly good."

Having heard this, the brahmins and householders of Komadussa village said to the Blessed One:

"Wonderful, Master Gotama! Wonderful, Master Gotama! Just as if someone were to set upright what had been knocked down, to reveal what was hidden, to show the way to one who was lost, or to carry a lamp in the dark so that those with eyes could see forms, in the same way Master Gotama has—through many lines of reasoning—made the Dharma clear. We go for refuge to Master Gotama, to the Dharma, and to the Sangha of monks. May Master Gotama remember us as lay followers who have gone for refuge from this day forward, for life."

The Lay Followers Chapter, the Second.

Its summary is as follows:

The Ploughman, Udaya, Devahita, A Certain Wealthy Man,

Arrogant, Opposing, The Builder, The Woodgatherer,

The Supporter of Mother, The Beggar, Sangharava, and Komadussa, twelve in all.

The Connected Discourses with Brahmins is finished.

This passage demonstrates how the Buddha, through wise words, dispels people's prejudices and guides them to understand true goodness and the true Dharma. The Buddha's response not only points out the essence of a true gathering and good people but also implies the importance of practice: abandoning greed, hatred, and delusion, and spreading the true Dharma. This brief yet powerful teaching ultimately led the people of Komadussa village to change their attitude and take refuge in the Buddha's teachings.

This text contains profound wisdom and philosophy. Let's analyze it in depth:

1. Prejudice and Open-mindedness:

The people of Komadussa village initially held prejudices against the Buddha, believing that these "shaven-headed ascetics" couldn't understand the rules of a gathering. This reflects how people often judge others based on appearances or preconceived notions. The Buddha's response demonstrates how to dissolve prejudice with wisdom and compassion, rather than confrontation.

2. True Gathering and Good People:

The Buddha redefines what constitutes a true gathering and good people. He emphasizes that true value lies not in external forms but in inner qualities and actions. This view challenges traditional social values and emphasizes the importance of morality and wisdom.

3. Abandoning Greed, Hatred, and Delusion:

The Buddha points out that truly good people are those who can abandon greed, hatred, and delusion. These three poisons are considered the root causes of suffering and unwholesome actions. The Buddha's teaching emphasizes the importance of inner cultivation, not just adherence to external rules.

4. The Importance of Speaking the True Dharma:

The Buddha emphasizes that truly good people not only practice themselves but also speak the true Dharma. This highlights the importance of sharing wisdom and helping others, embodying the Buddhist spirit of compassion and benefiting others.

5. The Power of Transformation:

The transformation of the Komadussa villagers from initial contempt to final refuge demonstrates the power of wise words and the possibility for people to change their views when faced with truth.

Deep Reflections:

This story prompts us to consider many modern issues:

1. Judgment and Prejudice:

Do we, like the people of Komadussa village, often judge others based on surface appearances in our daily lives? How does this habit affect our interpersonal relationships and social harmony?

2. True Value:

How do we define a person's value in today's society? Is it based on external achievements and status, or inner qualities and actions? How does the Buddha's teaching inspire us to rethink this question?

3. Inner Cultivation vs. External Rules:

Modern society emphasizes compliance with laws and social norms, but do we neglect the importance of inner cultivation? How can we focus on purifying our minds while also adhering to social rules?

4. Spreading Wisdom:

In an age of information overload, how do we discern and spread truly valuable knowledge and wisdom? How should the Buddha's emphasis on "speaking the true Dharma" be manifested in modern society?

5. Open-mindedness and Growth:

The change in attitude of the Komadussa villagers reminds us of the importance of maintaining an open mind. When faced with new ideas that challenge our existing notions, can we be as humble and receptive as they were?

6. The Power of Language:

The Buddha changed the hearts of a group of people with a short and powerful verse, reminding us of the immense power of words. How can we use language more carefully and wisely in our daily communication?

This brief scripture is not just an ancient story; it provides us with a mirror to reflect on our own prejudices, values, and behaviors. It invites us to consider what true goodness is and what constitutes a meaningful life. Through this reflection, we can begin an inner journey, continuously purifying our minds, cultivating wisdom and compassion, and practicing these teachings in our daily lives. This may be the true purpose of the Buddha's teachings: not just to understand, but to practice and embody them in life.