Bhikkhu Vagga

360. Good is restraint of the eye; good is restraint of the ear. Good is restraint of the nose; good is restraint of the tongue.

361. Good is restraint in body; good is restraint in speech. Good is restraint in mind; good is restraint everywhere. The monk who is restrained in every way is completely released from all suffering.

362. Controlled in hands, controlled in feet, controlled in speech, supreme in self-restraint, delighting in inward contemplation, composed, solitary, and contented—him they truly call a monk.

363. The monk who controls his mouth, who speaks with wise deliberation, who is unpuffed-up, and illuminates both the text and its meaning—sweet indeed is his speech.

364. The monk who abides in the Dhamma, delights in the Dhamma, meditates upon the Dhamma, and constantly remembers the Dhamma, never falls away from the true Dhamma.

365. One should not despise what one has received, nor should one live envying others. The monk who envies others never attains mental concentration (samādhi).

366. Even if a monk receives but little, if he does not despise his own gain, the gods truly praise him, who lives purely and unslothfully.

367. He who has no sense of 'mine' anywhere in the whole mind-and-body, and who grieves not for what is not, he is indeed called a monk.

368. The monk who dwells in universal loving-kindness (mettā), who has serene joy in the teaching of the Buddha, will attain the peaceful state, the blissful stilling of all conditioned things (Nibbāna).

369. Bail out this boat, O monk! Emptied of water, it will sail swiftly. Having cut off lust and hatred, you will arrive at Nibbāna.

370. Cut off five (lower fetters), abandon five (higher fetters), and cultivate five (spiritual faculties). A monk who has overcome the five attachments is called 'one who has crossed the flood'.

371. Meditate, O monk, do not be heedless! Do not let your mind whirl about in sensual pleasures! Do not, through negligence, swallow a burning iron ball, and do not wail while burning: 'This is suffering!'

372. There is no meditative absorption (jhāna) for one without wisdom, and there is no wisdom (paññā) for one who does not meditate. In whom there are both meditative absorption and wisdom, he is truly in the presence of Nibbāna.

373. To the monk who has entered an empty, secluded dwelling, whose mind is tranquil, and who perceives the Dhamma with clear insight, there comes a delight surpassing human joy.

374. Whenever he thoroughly reflects upon the arising and vanishing of the aggregates (khandhas), he experiences rapture and joyful bliss; to the wise, that insight is itself the Deathless.

375. And this is the beginning of the path here for a wise monk: guarding of the senses, contentment, and restraint according to the fundamental monastic code (Pātimokkha).

376. Associate with noble spiritual friends who lead a pure life and are unflagging in effort. Let him be courteous and refined in conduct; thereby full of joy, he will make an end of suffering.

377. Just as the jasmine plant drops its withered flowers, even so, O monks, completely drop all lust and hatred!

378. Calm in body, calm in speech, calm in thought, perfectly composed, and having discarded all worldly bait—that monk is called 'truly peaceful'.

379. Rouse yourself by yourself! Examine yourself by yourself! Thus self-guarded and mindful, O monk, you will live happily.

380. Oneself indeed is one's own protector; for what other protector could there be? Oneself indeed is one's own destination; therefore restrain yourself, as a merchant trains a noble thoroughbred horse.

381. The monk full of joyful confidence, serene in the teaching of the Buddha, will attain that peaceful state, the blissful tranquilizing of all conditioned things.

382. Even a young monk who devotes himself wholeheartedly to the teaching of the Buddha illuminates this world, like the moon freed from clouds.