4. The Chapter about Monastics (PDHP50-64)

Patna Dhammapada

4. The Chapter about Monastics

Restraint is good everywhere, restraint is everywhere good,

a monastic who is restrained everywhere is liberated from all suffering.

Restraint of body is good, restraint of speech is good,

restraint of mind is also good, restraint is everywhere good,

a monastic who is restrained everywhere is liberated from all suffering.

One who controls his hands, controls his feet, controls his speech, controls the mind faculty,

with inner delight and composure, solitary, content: that one is called a monastic.

Calm in body and calm in mind, having calmness and composure,

having thrown off worldly gain the monastic is called one at peace.

That monastic who restrains the mouth, who speaks well, and who is modest,

who teaches the meaning of the Dhamma, his speech is sweet.

One should not despise one’s own gains, one should not live envious of others,

the monastic who is envious of others does not attain concentration.

Even if a monastic gains little he should not despise his gains,

even the very gods praise the one of pure life who is diligent.

Please bail out this boat, monastic, when bailed out it will go lightly,

cutting off passion and hatred, from here one will go to Nibbāna.

With uplifted mind, happy, having overcome what is dear and not dear,

then with lots of happiness, the monastic should wander mindfully.

That monastic who dwells in loving-kindness, with faith in Buddha’s dispensation,

has penetrated the state of peace, the joy in stilling of all conditions,

here and now there is Nibbāna, the unsurpassed release from all bonds.

For the one who has entered an empty place, a monastic with a peaceful mind,

there is superhuman delight from insight into true Dhamma.

Just as one with right mindfulness regarding the rise and fall of the components of mind and body

gains happiness in mind, this is the deathless state for the one who knows.

There is no concentration for one without wisdom, there is no wisdom for one without concentration,

that one in whom there is concentration and wisdom is indeed close to Nibbāna.

This is the very beginning for the wise monastic here:

contentment, guarding the senses, and restraint in the regulations.

One should resort to spiritual friends, ones of pure life, ones who are diligent,

one should be one of friendly disposition, one who will be skilful in conduct,

rejoicing frequently because of that, the monastic should wander mindfully.

The Chapter about Monastics