Chapter 25: The Bhikshu

The Buddha establishes that restraint in the five senses (eye, ear, nose, tongue) and body, speech, and thought are all good, and such comprehensive restraint frees the mendicant from pain.

The text characterizes a true Bhikshu as one who controls his hands, feet, speech, and inner faculties, remaining collected, solitary, and content.

The Bhikshu who controls his mouth, speaks wisely and calmly, and teaches the law will have speech that is sweet and authoritative.

The mendicant who dwells in, delights in, meditates on, and follows the law will never fall away from the true path.

The mendicant should not despise what he has received or envy others, as envy prevents peace of mind and receiving little with purity of life brings praise even from gods.

A true Bhikshu is one who does not identify with name and form and does not grieve over what has passed.

The Bhikshu who acts with kindness and calmness in Buddha's doctrine will attain Nirvana and the cessation of desires.

By emptying the boat of passion and hatred, the mendicant will move swiftly toward Nirvana.

The mendicant should cut off, leave, and rise above the five senses, thereby becoming one saved from the flood of suffering.

The mendicant must meditate and not be heedless, avoiding worldly pleasures lest he suffer hellish consequences.

Knowledge and meditation depend on each other, and one who possesses both approaches Nirvana.

When the mendicant's mind is tranquil in his empty house and he sees the law clearly, he experiences superhuman delight.

Contemplating the origin and destruction of the body's elements brings happiness and joy that approach the immortal state of Nirvana.

The wise mendicant begins by cultivating watchfulness over the senses, contentedness, restraint in the law, and association with noble, pure-living friends.

Living in charity and being perfect in duties brings delight and allows the mendicant to make an end of suffering.

The mendicants are urged to shed passion and hatred like the Vassika plant sheds its withered flowers.

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

The mendicant should rouse and examine himself, thereby becoming self-protected and attentive and living happily.

The self is the master and refuge of itself, so one should curb oneself as a merchant curbs a good horse.

The Bhikshu full of delight and calm in Buddha's doctrine attains the quiet place of 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.