Thus I have heard: One time, the Budha was staying at
Anaathapindidas Ashrama in Jetavana of Shraavastii.
At that time, the Brahmin named Jaanussonii went to the Bhagavaan, exchanged greetings with him, and sat at one side.
Then the Brahmin said to the Bhagavaan:
“How should one view a bad friend?”
The Bhagavaan replied, “One should view him as one observes the moon.”
The Brahmin asked, “How should one view a good friend?”
The Bhagavaan replied, “One should view him as one observes the moon.”
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The Brahmin said, “What the shramana Gotama has said is brief and gives only the essentials.
It does not explain the full meaning.
I only wish that shramana Gotama would explain the meaning in detail, so that those who do not understand might comprehend.”
The Bhagavaan said, “Brahmin! Listen carefully! Listen carefully!
Reflect deeply, I will now explain the meaning to you in detail.”
The Brahmin replied, “So be it, Gotama!” The Brahmin received the teaching from the Budha.
The Bhagavaan said: “Just as, Brahmin, at the end of the month, the moon moves through the sky day and night, but gradually diminishes and does not increase, and at times, it is not visible at all, so too, Brahmin, if one has a bad friend, gradually, day by day, he loses faith,
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virtue, hearing, giving, and wisdom.
With the loss of faith, virtue, hearing, giving, and wisdom, when the bad friend’s body breaks up, at death, he will go to hell.
Therefore, Brahmin, I now speak of such a bad friend, as one speaks of the waning moon.”
Just as, Brahmin, when the moon is new, it gradually increases in light and gradually becomes full on the fifteenth day, so that all beings see it, so too, Brahmin, if one has a good friend, day by day, he increases in faith, virtue, hearing, giving, and wisdom.
With the increase in faith, virtue, hearing, giving, and wisdom, when the good friend’s body breaks up, at death, he will be born in a good place in heaven.
Therefore, Brahmin, I now speak of such a good friend, as one speaks of the full moon.”
At that time, the Bhagavaan spoke this verse:
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“If a person has craving, hatred, and ignorance unending,
His goodness gradually decreases, just like the waning moon.
But if a person is free from craving, hatred, and ignorance,
His goodness increases, just like the full moon.”
“Therefore, Brahmin! One should learn from the waxing moon.”
At that time, the Brahmin Jaanussonii said to the Bhagavaan,
“Excellent, Gotama! Just as one who was bent is now straightened, one who was in darkness now sees the light, and one who was lost now sees the path, so too, the shramana Gotama has taught me in many ways, and now I go for refuge to the Bhagavaan, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
From this day forth, I take the vow of a lay follower, and will not kill any living being for the rest of my life.”
At that time, the Brahmin Jaanussonii, having heard the Budha’s words, rejoiced and practiced them accordingly.