Chapter 25: The Bhikshu

The author establishes that restraint across all sensory faculties (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, speech, thought) is good and leads to freedom from pain.

A Bhikshu is defined as one who controls his hand, feet, speech, and is well-collected, solitary, and content.

The Bhikshu who controls his mouth, speaks wisely and calmly, and teaches the law will have sweet and effective words.

One who dwells in, delights in, and meditates on the law will never fall away from true law.

A mendicant must not despise what he receives nor envy others, as envy prevents peace of mind.

A Bhikshu who receives little but does not despise it will be praised by the gods if his life is pure and he is diligent.

The Bhikshu who does not identify with name and form and does not grieve over what has passed is truly called a Bhikshu.

The Bhikshu who acts with kindness and calm in Buddha's doctrine will reach Nirvana and the cessation of natural desires.

Through emptying oneself of passion and hatred, a Bhikshu will go quickly to Nirvana, using the metaphor of an emptied boat.

The Bhikshu must cut off and transcend the five senses to escape the five fetters and be 'saved from the flood.'

The Bhikshu must meditate and avoid heedlessness, lest he experience hellish punishment and the cry of pain.

Knowledge and meditation are mutually dependent, and one who possesses both is near unto Nirvana.

The Bhikshu who enters his empty mind and achieves tranquility experiences more than human delight when seeing the law clearly.

Reflecting on the origin and destruction of bodily elements leads to happiness and knowledge of the immortal (Nirvana).

A wise Bhikshu begins with watchfulness over senses, contentedness, restraint under law, and cultivation of pure noble friends.

Living in charity and perfecting one's duties leads to the fullness of delight and the end of suffering.

Using the Vassika plant's natural shedding of flowers as a model, Bhikshus should shed passion and hatred.

The Bhikshu whose body, tongue, and mind are quieted, who is collected and rejects worldly baits, is called quiet.

The Bhikshu must rouse and examine himself to be self-protected and attentive, thereby living happily.

The author asserts that self is one's own lord and refuge, and therefore one must curb oneself as a merchant curbs a horse.

The Bhikshu full of delight and calm in Buddha's doctrine will reach Nirvana and the cessation of desires.

A young Bhikshu who applies himself to Buddha's doctrine brightens the world like the moon freed from clouds.