THE BHIKKU

Bhikku: religious monk/lay person who has given his life to virtue ( Bhikkhuni /female)

Control of the eye is good,                                                                                                                              

control of the ear is good,

control of the nose is good,

control of the tongue is good.

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Control of the body is good,

control of speech is good,

control of everything is good.

The self-controlled bhikku is the free bhikku.

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He is the bhikku

whose hands and feet are controlled,

who is alone, serene, happy with himself.

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How sweet the words of the bhikku

who controlling his tongue, speaks wisely

of the Dhamma, in speech that is humble.

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The bhikku who follows Dhamma,

delights in Dhamma, meditates on Dhamma,

does not stray from the true path.

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What he receives, he takes humbly;

he does not envy others.

The envious bhikku is never serene.

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Even the gods praise the bhikku

who takes humbly what little is given.

His life is pure and industrious.

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He is the bhikku who owns nothing

as his, neither name nor form.

He does not grieve over that which is not.

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That bhikku is tranquil                                                                                  

who has faith in the Dhamma.

Always gentle and equanimous,

he finds the holiest peace.

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Make the boat light, bhikku!

Emptied, it will travel swifter.

Cast away passion and hate,

the road to Nirvana will be easier.

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Cut off the five: egoism, doubt,

false holiness, lust, and hatred.

Destroy these five fetters,

and you have crossed the stream of life.

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Think discriminate, bhikku!

There is no time to waste.

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Forget the pleasures of the senses

lest, swallowing the flaming iron ball,

you cry out, “I suffer!”

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How can one without wisdom meditate?

How can one without meditation be wise?

Both together, meditation and wisdom, lead to Nirvana.                    

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When a tranquil bhikku enters an empty house,

he is delighted, if he has knowledge of the Dhamma.

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When he realizes the birth and death of the body,

he is delighted, he experiences the delight of wisdom.

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Let the wise bhikku begin thus:

controlling the senses, practicing equanimity,

following discipline as laid down in the Dhamma,

and choosing pure, noble, and industrious friends.

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Let his life be a life of friendship.

Let him perform his duties well.

Then will his happiness end his suffering.

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O bhikku, be like the vassika plant

that sheds its withered flowers.

Shed passion and hate.

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That bhikku is calm

whose body is calm,

whose mind and speech are calm,

who has single-mindedly

refused the world’s seductions.

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Rouse yourself by your self,

perfect yourself by your self.

Only such vigilance, O bhikku,

will bring you happiness.

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You are your own refuge;

there is no other refuge.

Like a merchant taming a fine horse,

tame yourself, O bhikku.

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Happy and peaceful is the bhikku

          who has faith in the Dhamma.

He alone finds the state of serenity

          where the world’s flow ceases.

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The young bhikku who ceaselessly

          follows the words of the Buddha,

he shines on this world

          like a moon escaped from cloud.

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Tags: Bhikkhu, buddha, Buddha wisdom, Buddhism, Dhamma, Dhammapada, dharma, History, meditation, Nirvana, Philosophy, quotes, Spirituality, Wisdom

• 01,03,13
• Art, Buddha wisdom, Religion and Spirituality
• 6 comments