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B0102050502cūḷavaggo (minor chapter)

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English

Indeed, Blessed One, it is just so, he, that tamed monk who dwells thus; Having overcome all fetters and bonds, rightly should he wander in the world. The Discourse on Right Wandering, the thirteenth, is finished. 14. The Discourse to Dhammika Thus have I heard: At one time the Blessed One was dwelling in Savatthi, in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Then the lay follower Dhammika, together with five hundred lay followers, approached the Blessed One. Having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, the lay follower Dhammika addressed the Blessed One with verses: 378. I ask you, Gotama, O greatly wise one, how A good disciple is one who acts. Or one who goes from home to homelessness, or lay followers who are householders. 379. "For you know the going and the refuge of the world with its devas; There is none equal to you, who sees the subtle meaning, for they call you the supreme Buddha. 380. "You, having fully understood all knowledge and the Dhamma, proclaim it, compassionate to beings; You are one whose defilements are removed, the all-seeing, you shine, stainless, in all the world. 381. "The Naga king, named Eravana, came to you, having heard that you are the Conqueror; He too, having conversed with you, understood, delighted, having heard 'Good!' 382. "King Vessavana, Kuvera, also approaches you, inquiring about the Dhamma; To him too, when asked, you speak, O wise one, and he too, having heard, is delighted. 383. "Whatever these sectarians are, fond of debate, whether Ajivakas or Niganthas; All of them cannot surpass you in wisdom, like one standing cannot surpass one swiftly moving. 384. "Whatever these Brahmins are, fond of debate, and some Brahmins are old; All of them are bound to you by their welfare, and whatever other debaters there are who think otherwise. 385. "This Dhamma is subtle and pleasant, which has been well proclaimed by you, Blessed One; All of us, wishing to hear that very Dhamma, tell us that, when asked, O best of Buddhas. 386. "All these bhikkhus are assembled, and lay followers likewise, to hear; Let them hear the Dhamma understood by the Stainless One, well-spoken, like the devas hear Vasava's words." 387. "Listen to me, bhikkhus, I will declare to you the Dhamma, the purified, and all of you practice it; The deportment suitable for a renunciant, let the wise one, who sees the goal, cultivate it. 388. "A bhikkhu should not wander at the wrong time, but should go for alms in the village at the right time; For attachments arise for one who wanders at the wrong time, therefore the Buddhas do not wander at the wrong time. 389. "Forms and sounds and tastes and smells, and touches that intoxicate beings; Having subdued desire for these things, he should enter for his morning meal at the right time. 390. "And a bhikkhu, at the right time, the alms-food Having received it, one should retreat and sit alone. Thinking inwardly, not letting the mind go outside, one whose self is restrained. 391. If he should converse with a disciple, or with any other monk, he should speak of the excellent Dhamma, not of slander or disparagement of others. 392. Some indeed engage in disputes; we do not praise those of little wisdom. From this and that, attachments arise for them; their minds go far astray there. 393. Almsfood, dwelling, bed and seat, water, and robes for wiping dust— having heard the Dhamma taught by the Fortunate One, the disciple of excellent wisdom uses them reflectively. 394. Therefore, in almsfood, bed and seat, in water, and in robes for wiping dust, unsoiled by these things, is a monk like a water drop on a lotus. 395. Now I will tell you the householder's practice, how a disciple becomes good. For it is not possible for one with a household to experience the pure monk's Dhamma. 396. One should not kill a living being, nor cause to kill, nor approve of others killing. Laying aside the rod for all beings, those that are firm and those that tremble in the world. 397. Then, a disciple, understanding, should avoid taking anything not given, anywhere. One should not cause to take, nor approve of others taking; one should avoid all that is not given. 398. One should avoid unchastity, like a wise person avoids a burning charcoal pit. If unable to maintain celibacy, one should not transgress with another's wife. 399. Whether in an assembly or a gathering, one should not speak a lie to anyone. One should not cause to speak, nor approve of others speaking; one should avoid all that is untrue. 400. One should not partake of intoxicating drinks, if one is a householder who delights in this Dhamma. One should not cause to drink, nor approve of others drinking, knowing it to be leading to madness. 401. For fools commit evil deeds through intoxication, and cause other heedless people to do so. One should avoid this source of demerit, this madness. Oh, delusion, dear to the foolish. One should not kill a living being, nor take what is not given; One should not speak falsely, nor be a drinker of intoxicants. From unchastity, from sexual intercourse, one should abstain; One should not eat at night, food at the wrong time. One should not wear garlands, nor anoint with perfumes; On a mat on the ground, or on a simple bed, one should sleep. This indeed is called the eight-limbed Uposatha, proclaimed by the Buddha, the one who has reached the end of suffering. And then, on the Uposatha days of the fortnight, the fourteenth, the fifteenth, and the eighth; And the special fortnight, with a clear mind, endowed with eight limbs, perfectly undertaken. And then, in the morning, having observed the Uposatha, with food and drink, the community of bhikkhus; With a clear mind, rejoicing, the wise one should distribute as is fitting. One should support mother and father righteously, One should engage in righteous trade. A householder, diligently practicing this, attains to the gods called 'Self-radiant'. The Discourse on Dhammika, the fourteenth, is finished. The Minor Section, the second, is finished. Its summary – Jewels, fragrance, and shame, and blessing, with Sūciloma. Righteous conduct and the brahmin, the boat, what virtue, rising up. Rāhula, again, and the eon, and the wandering ascetic. And Dhammika, the wise ones say, the Minor Section, thus fourteen.

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