The Buddha teaches on disciplinary issues, presenting a tenfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 10.87 Disciplinary Issues

Tatra kho bhagavā kālaṅkataṁ bhikkhuṁ ārabbha bhikkhū āmantesi:

“bhikkhavo”ti.

“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:

“Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu adhikaraṇiko hoti, adhikaraṇasamathassa na vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu adhikaraṇiko hoti adhikaraṇasamathassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na sikkhākāmo hoti, sikkhāsamādānassa na vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na sikkhākāmo hoti sikkhāsamādānassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pāpiccho hoti, icchāvinayassa na vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pāpiccho hoti icchāvinayassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kodhano hoti, kodhavinayassa na vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kodhano hoti kodhavinayassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu makkhī hoti, makkhavinayassa na vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu makkhī hoti makkhavinayassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saṭho hoti, sāṭheyyavinayassa na vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saṭho hoti sāṭheyyavinayassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu māyāvī hoti, māyāvinayassa na vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu māyāvī hoti māyāvinayassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammānaṁ na nisāmakajātiko hoti, dhammanisantiyā na vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammānaṁ na nisāmakajātiko hoti dhammanisantiyā na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na paṭisallīno hoti, paṭisallānassa na vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na paṭisallīno hoti paṭisallānassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabrahmacārīnaṁ na paṭisanthārako hoti, paṭisanthārakassa na vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabrahmacārīnaṁ na paṭisanthārako hoti paṭisanthārakassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Evarūpassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno kiñcāpi evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata maṁ sabrahmacārī sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyun’ti, atha kho naṁ sabrahmacārī na ceva sakkaronti na garuṁ karonti na mānenti na pūjenti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tathāhissa, bhikkhave, viññū sabrahmacārī te pāpake akusale dhamme appahīne samanupassanti.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, assakhaḷuṅkassa kiñcāpi evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata maṁ manussā ājānīyaṭṭhāne ṭhapeyyuṁ, ājānīyabhojanañca bhojeyyuṁ, ājānīyaparimajjanañca parimajjeyyun’ti, atha kho naṁ manussā na ceva ājānīyaṭṭhāne ṭhapenti na ca ājānīyabhojanaṁ bhojenti na ca ājānīyaparimajjanaṁ parimajjanti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tathāhissa, bhikkhave, viññū manussā tāni sāṭheyyāni kūṭeyyāni jimheyyāni vaṅkeyyāni appahīnāni samanupassanti. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, evarūpassa bhikkhuno kiñcāpi evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata maṁ sabrahmacārī sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyun’ti, atha kho naṁ sabrahmacārī na ceva sakkaronti na garuṁ karonti na mānenti na pūjenti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tathāhissa, bhikkhave, viññū sabrahmacārī te pāpake akusale dhamme appahīne samanupassanti.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na adhikaraṇiko hoti, adhikaraṇasamathassa vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na adhikaraṇiko hoti adhikaraṇasamathassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo piyatāya garutāya bhāvanāya sāmaññāya ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sikkhākāmo hoti, sikkhāsamādānassa vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sikkhākāmo hoti sikkhāsamādānassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo piyatāya garutāya bhāvanāya sāmaññāya ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu appiccho hoti, icchāvinayassa vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu appiccho hoti icchāvinayassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo …pe… ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akkodhano hoti, kodhavinayassa vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akkodhano hoti kodhavinayassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo …pe… ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu amakkhī hoti, makkhavinayassa vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu amakkhī hoti makkhavinayassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo …pe… ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu asaṭho hoti, sāṭheyyavinayassa vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu asaṭho hoti sāṭheyyavinayassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo …pe… ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu amāyāvī hoti, māyāvinayassa vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu amāyāvī hoti māyāvinayassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo …pe… ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammānaṁ nisāmakajātiko hoti, dhammanisantiyā vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammānaṁ nisāmakajātiko hoti dhammanisantiyā vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo …pe… ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisallīno hoti, paṭisallānassa vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisallīno hoti paṭisallānassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo …pe… ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabrahmacārīnaṁ paṭisanthārako hoti, paṭisanthārakassa vaṇṇavādī. Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabrahmacārīnaṁ paṭisanthārako hoti paṭisanthārakassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo piyatāya garutāya bhāvanāya sāmaññāya ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Evarūpassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno kiñcāpi na evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata maṁ sabrahmacārī sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyun’ti, atha kho naṁ sabrahmacārī sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tathāhissa, bhikkhave, viññū sabrahmacārī te pāpake akusale dhamme pahīne samanupassanti.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, bhaddassa assājānīyassa kiñcāpi na evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata maṁ manussā ājānīyaṭṭhāne ṭhapeyyuṁ, ājānīyabhojanañca bhojeyyuṁ, ājānīyaparimajjanañca parimajjeyyun’ti, atha kho naṁ manussā ājānīyaṭṭhāne ca ṭhapenti ājānīyabhojanañca bhojenti ājānīyaparimajjanañca parimajjanti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tathāhissa, bhikkhave, viññū manussā tāni sāṭheyyāni kūṭeyyāni jimheyyāni vaṅkeyyāni pahīnāni samanupassanti.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, evarūpassa bhikkhuno kiñcāpi na evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata maṁ sabrahmacārī sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyun’ti, atha kho naṁ sabrahmacārī sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tathāhissa, bhikkhave, viññū sabrahmacārī te pāpake akusale dhamme pahīne samanupassantī”ti.

Sattamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Tatra kho bhagavā kālaṅkataṁ bhikkhuṁ ārabbha bhikkhū āmantesi:

There the Buddha addressed the mendicants concerning the mendicant Kalandaka:

“bhikkhavo”ti.

“Mendicants!”

“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.

“Venerable sir,” they replied.

Bhagavā etadavoca:

The Buddha said this:

“Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu adhikaraṇiko hoti, adhikaraṇasamathassa na vaṇṇavādī.

“Firstly, a mendicant raises disciplinary issues and doesn’t praise the settlement of disciplinary issues.

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu adhikaraṇiko hoti adhikaraṇasamathassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

This quality doesn’t conduce to fondness, respect, esteem, harmony, and unity.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na sikkhākāmo hoti, sikkhāsamādānassa na vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant doesn’t want to train, and doesn’t praise taking up the training. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na sikkhākāmo hoti sikkhāsamādānassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pāpiccho hoti, icchāvinayassa na vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant has corrupt wishes, and doesn’t praise getting rid of wishes. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pāpiccho hoti icchāvinayassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kodhano hoti, kodhavinayassa na vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant is irritable, and doesn’t praise getting rid of anger. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kodhano hoti kodhavinayassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu makkhī hoti, makkhavinayassa na vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant denigrates others, and doesn’t praise getting rid of denigration. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu makkhī hoti makkhavinayassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saṭho hoti, sāṭheyyavinayassa na vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant is devious, and doesn’t praise getting rid of deviousness. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saṭho hoti sāṭheyyavinayassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu māyāvī hoti, māyāvinayassa na vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant is deceitful, and doesn’t praise getting rid of deceitfulness. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu māyāvī hoti māyāvinayassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammānaṁ na nisāmakajātiko hoti, dhammanisantiyā na vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant doesn’t pay attention to the teachings, and doesn’t praise attending to the teachings. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammānaṁ na nisāmakajātiko hoti dhammanisantiyā na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na paṭisallīno hoti, paṭisallānassa na vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant is not in retreat, and doesn’t praise retreat. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na paṭisallīno hoti paṭisallānassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabrahmacārīnaṁ na paṭisanthārako hoti, paṭisanthārakassa na vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant is inhospitable to their spiritual companions, and doesn’t praise hospitality.

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabrahmacārīnaṁ na paṭisanthārako hoti paṭisanthārakassa na vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo na piyatāya na garutāya na bhāvanāya na sāmaññāya na ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

This quality doesn’t conduce to fondness, respect, esteem, harmony, and unity.

Evarūpassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno kiñcāpi evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya:

Even though a mendicant such as this might wish:

‘aho vata maṁ sabrahmacārī sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyun’ti, atha kho naṁ sabrahmacārī na ceva sakkaronti na garuṁ karonti na mānenti na pūjenti.

‘If only my spiritual companions would honor, respect, esteem, and venerate me!’ Still they don’t honor, respect, esteem, and venerate them.

Taṁ kissa hetu?

Why is that?

Tathāhissa, bhikkhave, viññū sabrahmacārī te pāpake akusale dhamme appahīne samanupassanti.

Because their sensible spiritual companions see that they haven’t given up those bad unskillful qualities.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, assakhaḷuṅkassa kiñcāpi evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya:

Suppose a wild colt was to wish:

‘aho vata maṁ manussā ājānīyaṭṭhāne ṭhapeyyuṁ, ājānīyabhojanañca bhojeyyuṁ, ājānīyaparimajjanañca parimajjeyyun’ti, atha kho naṁ manussā na ceva ājānīyaṭṭhāne ṭhapenti na ca ājānīyabhojanaṁ bhojenti na ca ājānīyaparimajjanaṁ parimajjanti.

‘If only the humans would put me in a thoroughbred’s place, feed me a thoroughbred’s food, and give me a thoroughbred’s grooming.’ Still the humans wouldn’t put them in a thoroughbred’s place, feed them a thoroughbred’s food, or give them a thoroughbred’s grooming.

Taṁ kissa hetu?

Why is that?

Tathāhissa, bhikkhave, viññū manussā tāni sāṭheyyāni kūṭeyyāni jimheyyāni vaṅkeyyāni appahīnāni samanupassanti.

Because sensible humans see that they haven’t given up their tricks, bluffs, ruses, and feints.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, evarūpassa bhikkhuno kiñcāpi evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya:

In the same way, even though a mendicant such as this might wish:

‘aho vata maṁ sabrahmacārī sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyun’ti, atha kho naṁ sabrahmacārī na ceva sakkaronti na garuṁ karonti na mānenti na pūjenti.

‘If only my spiritual companions would honor, respect, esteem, and venerate me!’ Still they don’t honor, respect, esteem, and venerate them.

Taṁ kissa hetu?

Why is that?

Tathāhissa, bhikkhave, viññū sabrahmacārī te pāpake akusale dhamme appahīne samanupassanti.

Because their sensible spiritual companions see that they haven’t given up those bad unskillful qualities.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na adhikaraṇiko hoti, adhikaraṇasamathassa vaṇṇavādī.

Next, a mendicant doesn’t raise disciplinary issues and praises the settlement of disciplinary issues.

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na adhikaraṇiko hoti adhikaraṇasamathassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo piyatāya garutāya bhāvanāya sāmaññāya ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

This quality conduces to fondness, respect, esteem, harmony, and unity.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sikkhākāmo hoti, sikkhāsamādānassa vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant wants to train, and praises taking up the training. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sikkhākāmo hoti sikkhāsamādānassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo piyatāya garutāya bhāvanāya sāmaññāya ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu appiccho hoti, icchāvinayassa vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant has few desires, and praises getting rid of desires. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu appiccho hoti icchāvinayassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo …pe… ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akkodhano hoti, kodhavinayassa vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant is not irritable, and praises getting rid of anger. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu akkodhano hoti kodhavinayassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo …pe… ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu amakkhī hoti, makkhavinayassa vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant doesn’t denigrate others, and praises getting rid of denigration. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu amakkhī hoti makkhavinayassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo …pe… ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu asaṭho hoti, sāṭheyyavinayassa vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant isn’t devious, and praises getting rid of deviousness. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu asaṭho hoti sāṭheyyavinayassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo …pe… ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu amāyāvī hoti, māyāvinayassa vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant isn’t deceitful, and praises getting rid of deceitfulness. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu amāyāvī hoti māyāvinayassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo …pe… ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammānaṁ nisāmakajātiko hoti, dhammanisantiyā vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant pays attention to the teachings, and praises attending to the teachings. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammānaṁ nisāmakajātiko hoti dhammanisantiyā vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo …pe… ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisallīno hoti, paṭisallānassa vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant is in retreat, and praises retreat. …

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisallīno hoti paṭisallānassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo …pe… ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabrahmacārīnaṁ paṭisanthārako hoti, paṭisanthārakassa vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, a mendicant is hospitable to their spiritual companions, and praises hospitality.

Yampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabrahmacārīnaṁ paṭisanthārako hoti paṭisanthārakassa vaṇṇavādī, ayampi dhammo piyatāya garutāya bhāvanāya sāmaññāya ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

This quality conduces to fondness, respect, esteem, harmony, and unity.

Evarūpassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno kiñcāpi na evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya:

Even though a mendicant such as this might never wish:

‘aho vata maṁ sabrahmacārī sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyun’ti, atha kho naṁ sabrahmacārī sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti.

‘If only my spiritual companions would honor, respect, esteem, and venerate me!’ Still they honor, respect, esteem, and venerate them.

Taṁ kissa hetu?

Why is that?

Tathāhissa, bhikkhave, viññū sabrahmacārī te pāpake akusale dhamme pahīne samanupassanti.

Because their sensible spiritual companions see that they’ve given up those bad unskillful qualities.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, bhaddassa assājānīyassa kiñcāpi na evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya:

Suppose a fine thoroughbred never wished:

‘aho vata maṁ manussā ājānīyaṭṭhāne ṭhapeyyuṁ, ājānīyabhojanañca bhojeyyuṁ, ājānīyaparimajjanañca parimajjeyyun’ti, atha kho naṁ manussā ājānīyaṭṭhāne ca ṭhapenti ājānīyabhojanañca bhojenti ājānīyaparimajjanañca parimajjanti.

‘If only the humans would put me in a thoroughbred’s place, feed me a thoroughbred’s food, and give me a thoroughbred’s grooming.’ Still the humans would put them in a thoroughbred’s place, feed them a thoroughbred’s food, and give them a thoroughbred’s grooming.

Taṁ kissa hetu?

Why is that?

Tathāhissa, bhikkhave, viññū manussā tāni sāṭheyyāni kūṭeyyāni jimheyyāni vaṅkeyyāni pahīnāni samanupassanti.

Because sensible humans see that they’ve given up their tricks, bluffs, ruses, and feints.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, evarūpassa bhikkhuno kiñcāpi na evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya:

In the same way, even though a mendicant such as this might never wish:

‘aho vata maṁ sabrahmacārī sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyun’ti, atha kho naṁ sabrahmacārī sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti.

‘If only my spiritual companions would honor, respect, esteem, and venerate me!’ Still they honor, respect, esteem, and venerate them.

Taṁ kissa hetu?

Why is that?

Tathāhissa, bhikkhave, viññū sabrahmacārī te pāpake akusale dhamme pahīne samanupassantī”ti.

Because their sensible spiritual companions see that they’ve given up those bad unskillful qualities.”

Sattamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Affection

Affection

A mental quality of tender affection and fond regard, often wholesome when rooted in kindness, which inclines the mind toward warmth and care. When unguarded, it may turn toward fixation upon what is 'dear,' leading the mind to attachment and the grief that follows separation from what has been clung to as 'dear'.

Also known as: fondness, love, tender regard
Pāli: pema
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Anger

Anger

A burning surge of aversion that erupts against people or situations, scorching clarity and kindness. It distorts perception and drives speech and action toward harm.

Also known as: rage, wrath, fury, indignation
Pāli: kodha, kopa
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Desire

Desire

A wholesome motivation, interest, or objective that acts as the starting point for effort and application of will.

Also known as: aspiration, interest, wish, having an objective, intention, impulse
Pāli: chanda
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Harm

Harm

Intention or action that causes injury or suffering to oneself or others. It arises from aversion and heedlessness and destroys trust and safety. The opposite of non-harm, it obscures compassion and leads to regret.

Also known as: injury causing behavior, destructiveness, bad, evil
Pāli: pāpaka
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Respect

Respect

A mental attitude of reverent attentiveness that values goodness and wisdom in oneself and others. It steadies conduct and opens the mind to learning and humility.

Also known as: reverence, veneration, regard, admiration, appreciation, deference, honour, attentiveness
Pāli: gārava, pūjā, sakkāra
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Unwholesome

Unwholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of poor health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameworthy, unhealthy, unskillful, unbeneficial, karmically unprofitable
Pāli: akusala
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Last updated on July 27, 2026