Ja 46 The Story about Spoiling the Park
(Ārāmadūsakajātaka)
In the present while on walking tour the monks come to a certain village and notice that there is an area of barren land. Upon enquiry it turns out a village lad had dug up the trees to water the roots by size. The Buddha tells a story of how the boy was a monkey in the past who ordered his troop to do the same, thereby ruining the king’s gardens.
Na ve anatthakusalena atthacariyā sukhāvahā,
Hāpeti atthaṁ dummedho, kapi ārāmiko yathā ti.
Not with one skilled in harm does the one who lives well find happiness, the unintelligent ruins what is good, like the monkey in the park.
In this connection, with one skilled in harm means with one skilled in what is baseless, what is harmful, because of being unskilled in the cause that has basis, that is beneficial, this is the meaning.
The one who lives well means the one who works for their own development.
Find happiness means that because of the one who is such that he is skilled in harm, the one who lives well, who benefits what is called bodily and mental happiness, does not himself find happiness, is not able to profit, this is the meaning.
What is the reason? Certain it is that the unintelligent ruins what is good, the foolish person, thinking: “I will create benefit,” having neglected true benefit, actually makes a loss.
Like the monkey in the park means like the monkey in the park, appointed to protect the park, thinking: “I will create benefit,” he actually makes a loss. Thus, whoever is skilled in harm, because of that is unable to profit the one who lives well, he certainly neglects his own benefit.