Ekudana the Arahat: One stanza of wisdom

In a grove near the ancient city of Savatthi, there lived a monk named Ekudana. He was an arahat—a term in the Buddhist tradition used to refer to enlightened beings who have achieved freedom from worldly desires and suffering. There was a special reason why he was known as Ekudana (Ek-Udana): he knew only one stanza from the Udana by heart. 

The Udana is a Buddhist scripture comprising 80 teachings attributed to the Buddha. Each teaching is presented as a story followed by a verse that encapsulates the core lesson. The term Udana translates to “inspired utterances”. While Ekudana knew just one stanza, he fully understood the meaning of the Dhamma (the teachings about life’s ultimate truth) conveyed in that stanza. Every sabbath day, he would invite others to listen to the Dhamma, and he would recite this single stanza. Even the guardian spirits of the forest (devas) would gather to listen to him. At the end of the recitation, they would vigorously applaud. 

The elders visit

One sabbath, two elder monks—renowned for their deep knowledge of the Buddhist canon visited Ekudana with a group of 500 monks. When Ekudana invited the elders to preach, they agreed. But they wondered if there was enough audience to listen to such teachings in this far away place. 

Ekudana assured them, explaining that not only did people attend, but even the forest guardian spirits came to listen and would applaud at the end of the discourse.

Encouraged, the elder monks took turns delivering profound teachings. Yet, when their sermons ended, there were no guardian spirits to be seen. And no applause either! The elders were confused and doubted the truth of what Ekudana had told them. 

“Where are the spirits who listen to these discourses?” 

Ekudana insisted “The spirits used to come for every recitation. And they would always applaud at the end”. 

The elders remarked “Why don’t you give the teachings then?” 

Ekudana took the fan in front of him, and recited the stanza as usual. 

The spirits responded as they always did—with loud and enthusiastic applause!

Buddha’s teaching 

The monks traveling with the elders complained that the spirits of the forest were very partial. Upon returning to the Jetavana monastery, they brought the matter to the Buddha.

The Buddha listened and responded:

“Bhikkhus! I do not say that a bhikkhu who has learnt much and talks much of the Dhamma is one who is versed in the Dhamma (Dhammadhara). One who has learnt very little and knows only one stanza of the Dhamma, but fully comprehends the Four Noble Truths, and is ever mindful is the one who is truly versed in the Dhamma.”

One who has learnt very little …but fully comprehends the Four Noble Truths, and is ever mindful is the one who is truly versed in the Dhamma.”

Gautama Buddha

Living mindfully 

The Buddha’s teaching reminds us that wisdom is not measured by how much we know or say, but by how deeply we understand and live by truth.

What does it mean to live mindfully? The mind often behaves like a restless wanderer—chasing desires, avoiding discomfort, and clinging to what it craves. Mindfulness is the art of observing this restless mind with calm awareness. It helps us notice when our thoughts are influenced by greed, anger, distraction, or delusion and gently bring the mind back to what is true and right.

Practicing mindfulness leads to freedom—not the freedom to follow every whim of the mind, but freedom from the endless cycle of desires and aversions. It allows us to live according to Dhamma—a life guided by truth and wisdom.

(Acknowledgement – This story was shared by Bhikkhu Aruno and edited by The Sabad team. Bhikkhu Aruno is an Indian-Thai Buddhist monk ordained in the Dhammayut tradition, closely following the Forest monastic practices of Ajahn Mun.)

Reflection question 

There are simple lessons in wisdom we may have heard growing up. Often, these teachings stay with us for life. Is there a story, mantra, or teaching that remains with you—a reminder that still inspires you today?

References:

1. The Story of Ekudana the Arahat https://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/dhp/
2. The Story of Ekudana, https://www.wisdomlib.org/
3. What is the Eightfold Path https://www.lionsroar.com/buddhism/eightfold-path/