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Dhammapada
- Dhammapada 25
- The Monk
- translated by Acharya Buddharakkhita
360. Good is restraint over the eye; good is restraint over
the ear; good is restraint over the nose; good is restraint over the tongue.
361. Good is restraint in the body; good is restraint in
speech; good is restraint in thought. Restraint everywhere is good. The monk restrained in
every way is freed from all suffering.
362. He who has control over his hands, feet and tongue; who
is fully controlled, delights in inward development, is absorbed in meditation, keeps to
himself and is contented -- him do people call a monk.
363. That monk who has control over his tongue, is moderate in
speech, unassuming and who explains the Teaching in both letter and spirit -- whatever he
says is pleasing.
364. The monk who abides in the Dhamma, delights in the
Dhamma, meditates on the Dhamma, and bears the Dhamma well in mind -- he does not fall
away from the sublime Dhamma.
365. One should not despise what one has received, nor envy
the gains of others. The monk who envies the gains of others does not attain to meditative
absorption.
366. A monk who does not despise what he has received, even
though it be little, who is pure in livelihood and unremitting in effort -- him even the
gods praise.
367. He who has no attachment whatsoever for the mind and
body, who does not grieve for what he has not -- he is truly called a monk.
368. The monk who abides in universal love and is deeply
devoted to the Teaching of the Buddha attains the peace of Nibbana, the bliss of the
cessation of all conditioned things.
369. Empty this boat, O monk! Emptied, it will sail lightly.
Rid of lust and hatred, you shall reach Nibbana.
370. Cut off the five, abandon the five, and cultivate the
five. The monk who has overcome the five bonds is called one who has crossed the flood. [24]
371. Meditate, O monk! Do not be heedless. Let not your mind
whirl on sensual pleasures. Heedless, do not swallow a red-hot iron ball, lest you cry
when burning, "O this is painful!"
372. There is no meditative concentration for him who lacks
insight, and no insight for him who lacks meditative concentration. He in whom are found
both meditative concentration and insight, indeed, is close to Nibbana.
373. The monk who has retired to a solitary abode and calmed
his mind, who comprehends the Dhamma with insight, in him there arises a delight that
transcends all human delights.
374. Whenever he sees with insight the rise and fall of the
aggregates, he is full of joy and happiness. To the discerning one this reflects the
Deathless. [25]
375. Control of the senses, contentment, restraint according
to the code of monastic discipline -- these form the basis of holy life here for the wise
monk.
376. Let him associate with friends who are noble, energetic,
and pure in life, let him be cordial and refined in conduct. Thus, full of joy, he will
make an end of suffering.
377. Just as the jasmine creeper sheds its withered flowers,
even so, O monks, should you totally shed lust and hatred!
378. The monk who is calm in body, calm in speech, calm in
thought, well-composed and who has spewn out worldliness -- he, truly, is called serene.
379. By oneself one must censure oneself and scrutinize
oneself . The self-guarded and mindful monk will always live in happiness.
380. One is one's own protector, one is one's own refuge.
Therefore, one should control oneself, even as a trader controls a noble steed.
381. Full of joy, full of faith in the Teaching of the Buddha,
the monk attains the Peaceful State, the bliss of cessation of conditioned things.
382. That monk who while young devotes himself to the Teaching
of the Buddha illumines this world like the moon freed from clouds.