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THE BHIKKHU [1] It is good to control one's eye, good to control one's ear, good to control one's nose, good to control one's tongue. [2] It is good to control one's body, good to control one's speech, good to control one's mind; it is good to have control everywhere. The Bhikkhu who has control everywhere is freed from all sorrows. [3] One who has control over
his hands, who has control over his feet, who has control over his speech, is
the best among the self-controlled; he is concentrated in the Spirit, wholly
self-absorbed, lone and happy, he is indeed a Bhikkhu.
Page – 244 [4] The Bhikkhu who has his mouth controlled, who speaks after taking thought, who is not pretentious, who moves to the goal and is on the path, possesses a sweet utterance. [5] The Bhikkhu delights in the Path, he adheres to the Path, he contemplates on the Path, he follows the Path, he never falls away from the Path. [6] Do not despise your own gain, do not covet others' gain. If one desires others' gain, one never attains consolation. [7] If one gains a little and does not despise the little gain that is one's own, the gods praise him; for he lives a pure life and is ever vigilant. [8] One who has no attachment for any name and form and does not grieve at their disappearance, him they calla Bhikkhu. [9] One who moves as a friend, who is happy in Buddha's Laws, .attains that happy seat of existence where all contingencies cease. [10] O Bhikkhu, bailout your boat, thus it will become lighter. Even so, cast out your attachments and taints and you will attain Nirvana. [11] Cut out the five,¹ conquer the other five.² Concenrate on the five others.³ The Bhikkhu who is thus freed in a fivefold way is said to have crossed the ocean waters. ¹ Ego,
doubt, outward ceremonies, greed, ill-will. ² Craving
for the world of form, craving for the world of the formless, pride, mental
restlessness, ignorance. ³
Faith, energy, concentration, attentiveness, meditation, intelligence.
Page – 245 [12] O Bhikkhu, take to meditation, let there be no delusion, let not your mind wander in objects of desire. Do not be lured and swallow the redhot ball of iron and then get scorched and lament, "Oh, I suffer!" [13] One without knowledge can have no meditation and without meditation one can have no knowledge. One who has both knowledge and meditation, can reach Nirvana. [14] The Bhikkhu who has entered the house of emptiness, whose mind is quieted, who clearly distinguishes the Divine Law attains superhuman delight. [15] Each time he concentrates on the appearance and disappearance of the contingents, he enjoys the happiness and delight of those who have attained immortality. [16] Such are the very first things for the Bhikkhu who has attained the right knowledge: control over the senses, contentment, self-discipline according to the Code; choosing one among friends who leads constantly a pure life for the good of all. [17] Be hospitable and courteous and self-contented. So shall you end your suffering. [18] A flowering plant sheds its withered flowers, even so, O Bhikkhu, shed your attachments, your likes and dislikes. [19] Quiet in body, quiet in
speech, quiet in mind, deep in concentration, all world's
desires ended, the Bhikkhu attains perfect Peace.
Page – 246 [20] Move the self by the self, establish the self by the self. Guarded by the self, always mindful, the Bhikkhu dwells in Felicity. [21] The self is the master of the self. The self is the refuge of the self. Discipline your self, even as a dealer disciplines a horse of breed. [22] Full of happiness and delight in the pursuit of the Buddha's discipline, the Bhikkhu attains the state of perfect peace, the felicity that is cessation from all contingents. [23] The young Bhikkhu who yokes
himself to the Buddha-discipline illumines the world even like the moon freed
from the clouds.
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