Living by Dhamma (b)

Translated by E. M. Hare

[72]

[1][olds][than] Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One dwelt near Sāvatthī

Now a certain monk visited the Exalted One, saluted him and sat down at one side.

So seated, he said to the Exalted One:

'Lord, they say:

"Living by Dhamma, living by Dbamma!"

Lord, how does a monk live by Dhamma?'

■

'Monk, consider the monk who masters Dhamma:

the sayings,
psalms,
catechisms,
songs,
solemnities,
speeches,
birth-stories,
marvels
and runes -

but knows not through insight the goal beyond.^[1]

Monk, that monk is said to be swift to master,
but he lives not by Dhamma.

■

Again, consider the monk who teaches others Dhamma in detail,
as he has heard it,
as he has mastered it -
he spends the day in convincing others of Dhamma;
but knows not through insight the goal beyond.

Monk, that monk is said to be swift to convince,
but he lives not by Dhamma.

■

Again, consider the monk who gives in full a repetition of Dhamma,
as he has heard it,
as he has learned it -
he spends the day in repeating it;
but knows not through insight the goal beyond..

Monk, that monk is said to be swift to repeat,
but he lives not by Dhamma.

■

Then consider the monk who turns his mind to Dhamma,
ponders over it,
reflects on it,
as he has heard it,
as he has learned it -
he spends his day in thinking about Dhamma;
but knows not through insight the goal beyond.

Monk, that monk is said to be swift to think,
but he lives not by Dhamma.

■

But, monk, take the case of the monk who masters Dhamma:

the sayings,
psalms,
catechisms,
songs,
solemnities,
speeches,
birth-stories,
marvels
and runes -

and spends not the day in that mastery,
but knows through insight the goal beyond.

Verily, monk, such a monk is one who lives by Dhamma.

Monk, thus, verily, have I declared one swift to master,
one swift to convince,
one swift to repeat,
one swift to think
and one who lives by Dhamma.

Monk, what should be done by a teacher for his disciples,
seeking their good,
from compassion and out of pity,
that has been done by me for you!

(Behold) these tree-roots,
tiese empty places, monk!

Meditate, monk,
and be not slothful;
reproach not yourself afterwards!

This is our command to you.'

¹ Uttariñ c'assa paññāya atthaṃ na ppajānāti. Comy. uttariṃ tassa dhammassa ... cattari saccāni na passati.

Aṇguttara Nikāya Pañcaka Nipāta 8. Yodhājīva Vagga

The Book of the Gradual Sayings The Book of the Fives VIII. The Warrior

Sutta 74

Dutiya Dhamma-Viharin Suttaṃ

Living by Dhamma (b)

Aṇguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
8. Yodhājīva Vagga

The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
VIII. The Warrior