The Dhammapada · Buddhist Sutras

Chapter 25: The Bhikkhu

The Dhammapada · 23 verses

Chapter 25 of the Dhammapada — “The Bhikkhu” — the Buddha's most widely read collection of verses, in a classic public domain translation. It opens: “Restraint in the eye is good, good is restraint in the ear, in the nose restraint is good, good is restraint in the tongue.” — all 23 verses are below, free to read online.

1Restraint in the eye is good, good is restraint in the ear, in the nose restraint is good, good is restraint in the tongue.in-depth page →

2In the body restraint is good, good is restraint in speech, in thought restraint is good, good is restraint in all things. A Bhikshu, restrained in all things, is freed from all pain.

3He who controls his hand, he who controls his feet, he who controls his speech, he who is well controlled, he who delights inwardly, who is collected, who is solitary and content, him they call Bhikshu.

4The Bhikshu who controls his mouth, who speaks wisely and calmly, who teaches the meaning and the law, his word is sweet.

5He who dwells in the law, delights in the law, meditates on the law, follows the law, that Bhikshu will never fall away from the true law.

6Let him not despise what he has received, nor ever envy others: a mendicant who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.

7A Bhikshu who, though he receives little, does not despise what he has received, even the gods will praise him, if his life is pure, and if he is not slothful.

8He who never identifies himself with name and form, and does not grieve over what is no more, he indeed is called a Bhikshu.

9The Bhikshu who acts with kindness, who is calm in the doctrine of Buddha, will reach the quiet place (Nirvāṇa), cessation of natural desires, and happiness.

10O Bhikshu, empty this boat! if emptied, it will go quickly; having cut off passion and hatred thou wilt go to Nirvāṇa.

11Cut off the five (senses), leave the five, rise above the five. A Bhikshu, who has escaped from the five fetters, he is called Oghati nn a, 'saved from the flood.'

12Meditate, O Bhikshu, and be not heedless! Do not direct thy thought to what gives pleasure that thou mayest not for thy heedlessness have to swallow the iron ball (in hell), and that thou mayest not cry out when burning, 'This is pain.'

13Without knowledge there is no meditation, without meditation there is no knowledge: he who has knowledge and meditation is near unto Nirvāṇa.

14A Bhikshu who has entered his empty house, and whose mind is tranquil, feels a more than human delight when he sees the law clearly.

15As soon as he has considered the origin and destruction of the elements (khandha) of the body, he finds happiness and joy which belong to those who know the immortal (Nirvāṇa).

16And this is the beginning here for a wise Bhikshu: watchfulness over the senses, contentedness, restraint under the law; keep noble friends whose life is pure, and who are not slothful.

17Let him live in charity, let him be perfect in his duties; then in the fullness of delight he will make an end of suffering.

18As the Vassika plant sheds its withered flowers, men should shed passion and hatred, O ye Bhikshus!

19The Bhikshu whose body and tongue and mind are quieted, who is collected, and has rejected the baits of the world, he is called quiet.

20Rouse thyself by thyself, examine thyself by thyself, thus self-protected and attentive wilt thou live happily, O Bhikshu!

21For self is the lord of self, self is the refuge of self; therefore curb thyself as the merchant curbs a good horse.

22The Bhikshu, full of delight, who is calm in the doctrine of Buddha will reach the quiet place (Nirvāṇa), cessation of natural desires, and happiness.

23He who, even as a young Bhikshu, applies himself to the doctrine of Buddha, brightens up this world, like the moon when free from clouds.

23 verses · classic public domain translation

‹ Ch. 24: Thirst Ch. 26: The Brahmana ›

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