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Dhammapada 360–382

Bhikkhuvagga

25. Mendicants · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral

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Cakkhunā saṁvaro sādhu,
sādhu sotena saṁvaro;
Ghānena saṁvaro sādhu,
sādhu jivhāya saṁvaro.

Restraint of the eye is good; good is restraint of the ear; restraint of the nose is good; good is restraint of the tongue.

Kāyena saṁvaro sādhu,
sādhu vācāya saṁvaro;
Manasā saṁvaro sādhu,
sādhu sabbattha saṁvaro;
Sabbattha saṁvuto bhikkhu,
sabbadukkhā pamuccati.

Restraint of the body is good; good is restraint of speech; restraint of mind is good; everywhere, restraint is good. The mendicant restrained everywhere is released from all suffering.

Hatthasaṁyato pādasaṁyato,
Vācāsaṁyato saṁyatuttamo;
Ajjhattarato samāhito,
Eko santusito tamāhu bhikkhuṁ.

One restrained in hand and foot, and in speech, the supreme restraint; happy inside, serene, solitary, content, I call a mendicant.

Yo mukhasaṁyato bhikkhu,
mantabhāṇī anuddhato;
Atthaṁ dhammañca dīpeti,
madhuraṁ tassa bhāsitaṁ.

When a mendicant of restrained mouth, thoughtful in counsel, not restless, explains the text and its meaning, their words are sweet.

Dhammārāmo dhammarato,
dhammaṁ anuvicintayaṁ;
Dhammaṁ anussaraṁ bhikkhu,
saddhammā na parihāyati.

Delighting in the teaching, enjoying the teaching, contemplating the teaching, a mendicant who recollects the teaching doesn’t fall away from the true teaching.

Salābhaṁ nātimaññeyya,
nāññesaṁ pihayaṁ care;
Aññesaṁ pihayaṁ bhikkhu,
samādhiṁ nādhigacchati.

A well-off mendicant ought not look down on others, nor should they be envious. A mendicant who envies others does not achieve immersion.

Appalābhopi ce bhikkhu,
salābhaṁ nātimaññati;
Taṁ ve devā pasaṁsanti,
suddhājīviṁ atanditaṁ.

If a mendicant is poor in offerings, the well-to-do ought not look down on them. For the gods indeed praise them, who are tireless and pure of livelihood.

Sabbaso nāmarūpasmiṁ,
yassa natthi mamāyitaṁ;
Asatā ca na socati,
sa ve “bhikkhū”ti vuccati.

One who has no sense of ownership in the whole realm of name and form, who does not grieve for that which is not, is said to be a mendicant.

Mettāvihārī yo bhikkhu,
pasanno buddhasāsane;
Adhigacche padaṁ santaṁ,
saṅkhārūpasamaṁ sukhaṁ.

A mendicant who meditates on love, devoted to the Buddha’s teaching, would realize the peaceful state, the blissful stilling of conditions.

Siñca bhikkhu imaṁ nāvaṁ,
sittā te lahumessati;
Chetvā rāgañca dosañca,
tato nibbānamehisi.

Bail out this boat, mendicant! When bailed out it will float lightly. Having cut off desire and hate, you shall reach extinguishment.

Pañca chinde pañca jahe,
pañca cuttari bhāvaye;
Pañca saṅgātigo bhikkhu,
“oghatiṇṇo”ti vuccati.

Five to cut, five to drop, and five more to develop. When a mendicant slips five chains they’re said to have crossed the flood.

Jhāya bhikkhu mā pamādo,
Mā te kāmaguṇe ramessu cittaṁ;
Mā lohaguḷaṁ gilī pamatto,
Mā kandi “dukkhamidan”ti dayhamāno.

Practice absorption, don’t be negligent! Don’t let the mind delight in the senses! Don’t heedlessly swallow a hot iron ball! And when it burns, don’t cry, “Oh, the pain!”

Natthi jhānaṁ apaññassa,
paññā natthi ajhāyato;
Yamhi jhānañca paññā ca,
sa ve nibbānasantike.

No absorption for one without wisdom, no wisdom for one without absorption. But one with absorption and wisdom— they have truly drawn near to extinguishment.

Suññāgāraṁ paviṭṭhassa,
santacittassa bhikkhuno;
Amānusī rati hoti,
sammā dhammaṁ vipassato.

A mendicant who enters an empty hut with mind at peace finds a superhuman delight as they rightly discern the Dhamma.

Yato yato sammasati,
khandhānaṁ udayabbayaṁ;
Labhatī pītipāmojjaṁ,
amataṁ taṁ vijānataṁ.

Whenever they are mindful of the rise and fall of the aggregates, they feel rapture and joy: that is freedom from death for one who knows.

Tatrāyamādi bhavati,
idha paññassa bhikkhuno;
Indriyagutti santuṭṭhi,
pātimokkhe ca saṁvaro.

This is the very start of the path for a wise mendicant here: guarding the senses, contentment, and restraint in the monastic code.

Mitte bhajassu kalyāṇe,
suddhājīve atandite;
Paṭisanthāravutyassa,
ācārakusalo siyā;
Tato pāmojjabahulo,
dukkhassantaṁ karissati.

Mix with spiritual friends, who are tireless and pure of livelihood. Share what you have with others, being skillful in your conduct. And when you’re full of joy, you’ll make an end to suffering.

Vassikā viya pupphāni,
maddavāni pamuñcati;
Evaṁ rāgañca dosañca,
vippamuñcetha bhikkhavo.

As a jasmine sheds its withered flowers, O mendicants, shed greed and hate.

Santakāyo santavāco,
santavā susamāhito;
Vantalokāmiso bhikkhu,
“upasanto”ti vuccati.

Calm in body, calm in speech, peaceful and serene; a mendicant who’s spat out the world’s bait is said to be one at peace.

Attanā codayattānaṁ,
paṭimaṁsetha attanā;
So attagutto satimā,
sukhaṁ bhikkhu vihāhisi.

Urge yourself on, reflect on yourself. A mendicant self-controlled and mindful will always dwell in happiness.

Attā hi attano nātho,
ko hi nātho paro siyā;
Attā hi attano gati,
tasmā saṁyamamattānaṁ;
Assaṁ bhadraṁva vāṇijo.

Self is indeed the lord of self, for who else would be one’s lord? Self is indeed the home of self, so restrain yourself, as a merchant his thoroughbred steed.

Pāmojjabahulo bhikkhu,
pasanno buddhasāsane;
Adhigacche padaṁ santaṁ,
saṅkhārūpasamaṁ sukhaṁ.

A monk full of joy trusting in the Buddha’s teaching, would realize the peaceful state, the blissful stilling of conditions.

Yo have daharo bhikkhu,
yuñjati buddhasāsane;
Somaṁ lokaṁ pabhāseti,
abbhā muttova candimā.
Bhikkhuvaggo pañcavīsatimo.

A young mendicant devoted to the Buddha’s teaching, shines upon this world, like the moon freed from clouds.

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