Theragatha
Chapter X — The Tens

239

Gotama

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Sourced from the edition at dhammatalks.org
For free distribution only.

 

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You should know what's to your benefit.
You should take a good look
at the Buddha's word
and at what's fitting here
for one who has entered
on the contemplative life.

An admirable friend right here,
undertaking the complete training,
and obedience to teachers:
This is fitting
for a contemplative.

Respect for the Buddhas,
honoring the Dhamma
as it has come to be,
and thinking highly of the Saṅgha:
This is fitting
for a contemplative.

Fitting behavior and range of association,
a livelihood purified, blameless,
the establishing of the mind:
This is fitting
for a contemplative.

Virtuous in what you do
and what you abstain from doing,
inspiring comportment,
commitment to the heightened mind:
This is fitting
for a contemplative.

Wilderness lodgings,
secluded, with next-to-no noise,
right for sages to resort to:
This is fitting
for a contemplative.

Virtue, learning,
investigating
phenomena,
mental qualities,
as they have come to be:
This is fitting
for a contemplative.

You should develop
inconstancy,
the perception of not-self,
the perception of unattractiveness,
and distaste for the world:
This is fitting
for a contemplative.

You should develop
the factors for awakening,
the bases for success,
the faculties,
and the noble eightfold path:
This is fitting
for a contemplative.

A sage should abandon craving,
should cut through the effluents, root and all,
should dwell fully released:
This is fitting
for a contemplative.

 

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Of Related Interest:

Dhp 183–185
Sn 1:3
Sn 1:12
Sn 2:6
Sn 2:9
Sn 2:13
Sn 3:11
Sn 4:14–16