Dhammapada verses 360–382 depict the ideal bhikkhu as one who restrains the senses, body, speech, and mind, leading to freedom from suffering. Emphasis is placed on mindfulness, inner joy, collectedness, and self-reliance. Through discipline and reflection, the bhikkhu advances towards the peace of Nibbāna, shining like the moon freed from clouds.

DHP 360-382  Bhikkhu vagga - Chapter 25 - Bhikkhu

360

Cakkhunā saṁvaro sādhu,
sādhu sotena saṁvaro;
Ghānena saṁvaro sādhu,
sādhu jivhāya saṁvaro.

Restraint with the eye is good,
good is restraint by the ear;
Restraint with the nose is good,
good is restraint by the tongue.

361

Kāyena saṁvaro sādhu,
sādhu vācāya saṁvaro;
Manasā saṁvaro sādhu,
sādhu sabbattha saṁvaro;
Sabbattha saṁvuto bhikkhu,
sabbadukkhā pamuccati.

Restraint with the body is good,
good is restraint by speech;
Restraint with the mind is good,
good is restraint in all aspects;
A bhikkhu restrained in all aspects,
is freed from all |suffering::discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering [dukkha]|.

362

Hatthasaṁyato pādasaṁyato,
Vācāsaṁyato saṁyatuttamo;
Ajjhattarato samāhito,
Eko santusito tamāhu bhikkhuṁ.

With hands restrained, with feet restrained,
with speech restrained, fully restrained;
With inner joy and a |collected::composed, settled [samāhita]| mind,
content in solitude—him they call a true bhikkhu.

363

Yo mukhasaṁyato bhikkhu,
mantabhāṇī anuddhato;
Atthaṁ dhammañca dīpeti,
madhuraṁ tassa bhāsitaṁ.

A bhikkhu who is restrained in speech,
who speaks wisely, who is |unruffled::not agitated, not arrogant, not pompous [anuddhata]|;
Who clarifies both benefit and the |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]|,
his speech is truly sweet.

364

Dhammārāmo dhammarato,
dhammaṁ anuvicintayaṁ;
Dhammaṁ anussaraṁ bhikkhu,
saddhammā na parihāyati.

One who delights and is devoted to the Dhamma,
who thinks and ponders on the Dhamma;
The bhikkhu who recollects the Dhamma,
does not |fall away from::decline in [parihāyati]| the good Dhamma.

365

Salābhaṁ nātimaññeyya,
nāññesaṁ pihayaṁ care;
Aññesaṁ pihayaṁ bhikkhu,
samādhiṁ nādhigacchati.

One |should not look down on::should not have contempt for [nātimaññati]| one’s own |gain::benefit, profit [lābha]|,
nor live |envying::wanting, yearning, desiring [pihayanta]| belongings of others;
A bhikkhu who envies others,
does not attain |stillness of mind::stability of mind, stillness of mind, mental composure, collectedness [samādhi]|.

366

Appalābhopi ce bhikkhu,
salābhaṁ nātimaññati;
Taṁ ve devā pasaṁsanti,
suddhājīviṁ atanditaṁ.

Even if a bhikkhu receives little gain,
but does not look down on his own gain;
Him the gods praise,
one pure in livelihood, who is |energetic::effortful, active [atandita]|.

367

Sabbaso nāmarūpasmiṁ,
yassa natthi mamāyitaṁ;
Asatā ca na socati,
sa ve “bhikkhū”ti vuccati.

In one who sees no |mine-ness::possession, cherishing, sense of ownership [mamāyita]|,
with respect to |name and form::mentality and materiality—the integrated structure of mental capacities (intention, attention, contact, feeling, perception) and physical form that together constitute and sustain an individual being [nāmarūpa]| in every way;
And who does not grieve over what is absent,
he, indeed, is rightly called a “bhikkhu“.

368

Mettāvihārī yo bhikkhu,
pasanno buddhasāsane;
Adhigacche padaṁ santaṁ,
saṅkhārūpasamaṁ sukhaṁ.

A bhikkhu who dwells with |loving-kindness::goodwill, friendliness, benevolence [metta]|,
and has confidence in the Buddha’s teaching;
Attains the peaceful state,
the contentment of the |stilling of mental activities::quieting of conditions, Nibbāna [saṅkhārūpasama]|.

369

Siñca bhikkhu imaṁ nāvaṁ,
sittā te lahumessati;
Chetvā rāgañca dosañca,
tato nibbānamehisi.

Bail out this boat, bhikkhu,
when bailed out, it will sail swiftly;
Having cut off |passion::intense desire, strong emotion, infatuation, obsession, lust [rāga]| and |aversion::ill will, hatred, hostility, mental attitude of rejection, fault-finding, resentful disapproval [dosa]|,
from here, one goes to |Nibbāna::complete cooling, letting go of everything, deathless, freedom from calamity, the non-disintegrating [nibbāna]|.

370

Pañca chinde pañca jahe,
pañca cuttari bhāvaye;
Pañca saṅgātigo bhikkhu,
“oghatiṇṇo”ti vuccati.

|Let one cut off five::Five lower fetters of view of personal existence, doubt, adherence to rules and observances, sensual desire, and ill will should be cut off.|, and |abandon five::Five higher fetters of desire for fine-material existence, desire for immaterial existence, conceit, restlessness, and ignorance should be abandoned.|,
|and cultivate five further::Five spiritual faculties of confidence, energy, mindfulness, collectedness, and wisdom should be developed and cultivated.|;
A bhikkhu who overcomes |five kinds of clinging::Clinging at the five aggregates of form, feeling, perception, intentional constructs, and consciousness should be overcome.|,
he is called “one who has crossed the flood.”

371

Jhāya bhikkhu pamādo,
te kāmaguṇe ramessu cittaṁ;
lohaguḷaṁ gilī pamatto,
kandi “dukkhamidan”ti dayhamāno.

Meditate, bhikkhu! Do not be |negligent::inattentive, careless, intoxicated [pamāda]|,
Let not your mind delight in the sense pleasures;
Do not, in negligence, swallow the iron ball,
and cry “This is suffering!” while burning [from it].

372

Natthi jhānaṁ apaññassa,
paññā natthi ajhāyato;
Yamhi jhānañca paññā ca,
sa ve nibbānasantike.

There is no |jhāna::right collectedness, stillness of mind. Read more in the [AN 5.28 - fivefold right collectedness](/an5.28) discourse. [jhāna]| for the |unwise::lacking in discernment or good sense, immature [apañña]|,
and no wisdom for one who does not [train for] jhāna;
But in whom both jhāna and wisdom are found,
he is truly near to Nibbāna.

373

Suññāgāraṁ paviṭṭhassa,
santacittassa bhikkhuno;
Amānusī rati hoti,
sammā dhammaṁ vipassato.

For a bhikkhu who has entered an |empty dwelling::uninhabited place, a physical home devoid of a self, e.g. a hut, a cave, forest [suññāgāra]|,
with a calm mind;
There arises a divine joy,
from rightly discerning the Dhamma.

374

Yato yato sammasati,
khandhānaṁ udayabbayaṁ;
Labhatī pītipāmojjaṁ,
amataṁ taṁ vijānataṁ.

Whenever one knows with right mindfulness,
the |arising and passing away::appearance and disappearance, formation and dissolution [udayabbaya]| of the |aggregates::the five aggregates of form, feeling, perception, intentional constructs, and consciousness; components of mind and body [khandha]|;
There one gains joy and gladness,
that is |deathless::deathless state, epithet of Nibbāna [amata]| for one who knows.

375

Tatrāyamādi bhavati,
idha paññassa bhikkhuno;
Indriyagutti santuṭṭhi,
pātimokkhe ca saṁvaro.

This is the foundation,
for a wise bhikkhu;
guarding the sense faculties, contentment,
and restraint per the |moral code of conduct::monastic code of discipline which promotes harmonious and pure conduct with others [pātimokkha]|.

376

Mitte bhajassu kalyāṇe,
suddhājīve atandite;
Paṭisanthāravutyassa,
ācārakusalo siyā;
Tato pāmojjabahulo,
dukkhassantaṁ karissati.

Associate with good friends,
of pure livelihood, energetic;
|Be one of welcoming nature::one should be cordial by nature, one should have a friendly disposition [paṭisanthāravutyassa]|,
well mannered;
Then filled with joy,
you will bring suffering to its end.

377

Vassikā viya pupphāni,
maddavāni pamuñcati;
Evaṁ rāgañca dosañca,
vippamuñcetha bhikkhavo.

Just as the jasmine,
sheds its withered flowers;
So too, bhikkhus, you should,
shed away |passion::intense desire, strong emotion, infatuation, obsession, lust [rāga]| and |aversion::ill will, hatred, hostility, mental attitude of rejection, fault-finding, resentful disapproval [dosa]|.

378

Santakāyo santavāco,
santavā susamāhito;
Vantalokāmiso bhikkhu,
“upasanto”ti vuccati.

Calm in body, calm in speech,
calm in mind and |well composed::completely calm, totally settled, attentive, completely collected [susamāhita]|;
a bhikkhu who has renounced the world’s bait,
is rightly said to be “one at peace.”

379

Attanā codayattānaṁ,
paṭimaṁsetha attanā;
So attagutto satimā,
sukhaṁ bhikkhu vihāhisi.

By oneself should one stir oneself,
by oneself should one examine oneself;
He who is self-restrained and |mindful::who has recollection, is aware, present [satimant]|,
is a bhikkhu who lives happily.

380

Attā hi attano nātho,
ko hi nātho paro siyā;
Attā hi attano gati,
tasmā saṁyamamattānaṁ;
Assaṁ bhadraṁva vāṇijo.

The self is indeed one’s own refuge,
for who else could be a refuge?
The self is indeed the destination of oneself;
Therefore, restrain yourself,
as a merchant restrains his thoroughbred horse.

381

Pāmojjabahulo bhikkhu,
pasanno buddhasāsane;
Adhigacche padaṁ santaṁ,
saṅkhārūpasamaṁ sukhaṁ.

A bhikkhu full of joy,
who has confidence in the Buddha’s teaching;
Attains the peaceful state,
the contentment of the stilling of mental activities.

382

Yo have daharo bhikkhu,
yuñjati buddhasāsane;
Somaṁ lokaṁ pabhāseti,
abbhā muttova candimā.

A young bhikkhu,
who |applies himself to::endeavors in [yuñjati]| the Buddha’s teaching,
|Illuminates::brightens [pabhāseti]| the world,
like the moon freed from clouds.

360

Restraint with the eye is good,
good is restraint by the ear;
Restraint with the nose is good,
good is restraint by the tongue.

361

Restraint with the body is good,
good is restraint by speech;
Restraint with the mind is good,
good is restraint in all aspects;
A bhikkhu restrained in all aspects,
is freed from all |suffering::discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering [dukkha]|.

362

With hands restrained, with feet restrained,
with speech restrained, fully restrained;
With inner joy and a |collected::composed, settled [samāhita]| mind,
content in solitude—him they call a true bhikkhu.

363

A bhikkhu who is restrained in speech,
who speaks wisely, who is |unruffled::not agitated, not arrogant, not pompous [anuddhata]|;
Who clarifies both benefit and the |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]|,
his speech is truly sweet.

364

One who delights and is devoted to the Dhamma,
who thinks and ponders on the Dhamma;
The bhikkhu who recollects the Dhamma,
does not |fall away from::decline in [parihāyati]| the good Dhamma.

365

One |should not look down on::should not have contempt for [nātimaññati]| one’s own |gain::benefit, profit [lābha]|,
nor live |envying::wanting, yearning, desiring [pihayanta]| belongings of others;
A bhikkhu who envies others,
does not attain |stillness of mind::stability of mind, stillness of mind, mental composure, collectedness [samādhi]|.

366

Even if a bhikkhu receives little gain,
but does not look down on his own gain;
Him the gods praise,
one pure in livelihood, who is |energetic::effortful, active [atandita]|.

367

In one who sees no |mine-ness::possession, cherishing, sense of ownership [mamāyita]|,
with respect to |name and form::mentality and materiality—the integrated structure of mental capacities (intention, attention, contact, feeling, perception) and physical form that together constitute and sustain an individual being [nāmarūpa]| in every way;
And who does not grieve over what is absent,
he, indeed, is rightly called a “bhikkhu“.

368

A bhikkhu who dwells with |loving-kindness::goodwill, friendliness, benevolence [metta]|,
and has confidence in the Buddha’s teaching;
Attains the peaceful state,
the contentment of the |stilling of mental activities::quieting of conditions, Nibbāna [saṅkhārūpasama]|.

369

Bail out this boat, bhikkhu,
when bailed out, it will sail swiftly;
Having cut off |passion::intense desire, strong emotion, infatuation, obsession, lust [rāga]| and |aversion::ill will, hatred, hostility, mental attitude of rejection, fault-finding, resentful disapproval [dosa]|,
from here, one goes to |Nibbāna::complete cooling, letting go of everything, deathless, freedom from calamity, the non-disintegrating [nibbāna]|.

370

|Let one cut off five::Five lower fetters of view of personal existence, doubt, adherence to rules and observances, sensual desire, and ill will should be cut off.|, and |abandon five::Five higher fetters of desire for fine-material existence, desire for immaterial existence, conceit, restlessness, and ignorance should be abandoned.|,
|and cultivate five further::Five spiritual faculties of confidence, energy, mindfulness, collectedness, and wisdom should be developed and cultivated.|;
A bhikkhu who overcomes |five kinds of clinging::Clinging at the five aggregates of form, feeling, perception, intentional constructs, and consciousness should be overcome.|,
he is called “one who has crossed the flood.”

371

Meditate, bhikkhu! Do not be |negligent::inattentive, careless, intoxicated [pamāda]|,
Let not your mind delight in the sense pleasures;
Do not, in negligence, swallow the iron ball,
and cry “This is suffering!” while burning [from it].

372

There is no |jhāna::right collectedness, stillness of mind. Read more in the [AN 5.28 - fivefold right collectedness](/an5.28) discourse. [jhāna]| for the |unwise::lacking in discernment or good sense, immature [apañña]|,
and no wisdom for one who does not [train for] jhāna;
But in whom both jhāna and wisdom are found,
he is truly near to Nibbāna.

373

For a bhikkhu who has entered an |empty dwelling::uninhabited place, a physical home devoid of a self, e.g. a hut, a cave, forest [suññāgāra]|,
with a calm mind;
There arises a divine joy,
from rightly discerning the Dhamma.

374

Whenever one knows with right mindfulness,
the |arising and passing away::appearance and disappearance, formation and dissolution [udayabbaya]| of the |aggregates::the five aggregates of form, feeling, perception, intentional constructs, and consciousness; components of mind and body [khandha]|;
There one gains joy and gladness,
that is |deathless::deathless state, epithet of Nibbāna [amata]| for one who knows.

375

This is the foundation,
for a wise bhikkhu;
guarding the sense faculties, contentment,
and restraint per the |moral code of conduct::monastic code of discipline which promotes harmonious and pure conduct with others [pātimokkha]|.

376

Associate with good friends,
of pure livelihood, energetic;
|Be one of welcoming nature::one should be cordial by nature, one should have a friendly disposition [paṭisanthāravutyassa]|,
well mannered;
Then filled with joy,
you will bring suffering to its end.

377

Just as the jasmine,
sheds its withered flowers;
So too, bhikkhus, you should,
shed away |passion::intense desire, strong emotion, infatuation, obsession, lust [rāga]| and |aversion::ill will, hatred, hostility, mental attitude of rejection, fault-finding, resentful disapproval [dosa]|.

378

Calm in body, calm in speech,
calm in mind and |well composed::completely calm, totally settled, attentive, completely collected [susamāhita]|;
a bhikkhu who has renounced the world’s bait,
is rightly said to be “one at peace.”

379

By oneself should one stir oneself,
by oneself should one examine oneself;
He who is self-restrained and |mindful::who has recollection, is aware, present [satimant]|,
is a bhikkhu who lives happily.

380

The self is indeed one’s own refuge,
for who else could be a refuge?
The self is indeed the destination of oneself;
Therefore, restrain yourself,
as a merchant restrains his thoroughbred horse.

381

A bhikkhu full of joy,
who has confidence in the Buddha’s teaching;
Attains the peaceful state,
the contentment of the stilling of mental activities.

382

A young bhikkhu,
who |applies himself to::endeavors in [yuñjati]| the Buddha’s teaching,
|Illuminates::brightens [pabhāseti]| the world,
like the moon freed from clouds.

Cakkhunā saṁvaro sādhu,
sādhu sotena saṁvaro;
Ghānena saṁvaro sādhu,
sādhu jivhāya saṁvaro.

Kāyena saṁvaro sādhu,
sādhu vācāya saṁvaro;
Manasā saṁvaro sādhu,
sādhu sabbattha saṁvaro;
Sabbattha saṁvuto bhikkhu,
sabbadukkhā pamuccati.

Hatthasaṁyato pādasaṁyato,
Vācāsaṁyato saṁyatuttamo;
Ajjhattarato samāhito,
Eko santusito tamāhu bhikkhuṁ.

Yo mukhasaṁyato bhikkhu,
mantabhāṇī anuddhato;
Atthaṁ dhammañca dīpeti,
madhuraṁ tassa bhāsitaṁ.

Dhammārāmo dhammarato,
dhammaṁ anuvicintayaṁ;
Dhammaṁ anussaraṁ bhikkhu,
saddhammā na parihāyati.

Salābhaṁ nātimaññeyya,
nāññesaṁ pihayaṁ care;
Aññesaṁ pihayaṁ bhikkhu,
samādhiṁ nādhigacchati.

Appalābhopi ce bhikkhu,
salābhaṁ nātimaññati;
Taṁ ve devā pasaṁsanti,
suddhājīviṁ atanditaṁ.

Sabbaso nāmarūpasmiṁ,
yassa natthi mamāyitaṁ;
Asatā ca na socati,
sa ve “bhikkhū”ti vuccati.

Mettāvihārī yo bhikkhu,
pasanno buddhasāsane;
Adhigacche padaṁ santaṁ,
saṅkhārūpasamaṁ sukhaṁ.

Siñca bhikkhu imaṁ nāvaṁ,
sittā te lahumessati;
Chetvā rāgañca dosañca,
tato nibbānamehisi.

Pañca chinde pañca jahe,
pañca cuttari bhāvaye;
Pañca saṅgātigo bhikkhu,
“oghatiṇṇo”ti vuccati.

Jhāya bhikkhu pamādo,
te kāmaguṇe ramessu cittaṁ;
lohaguḷaṁ gilī pamatto,
kandi “dukkhamidan”ti dayhamāno.

Natthi jhānaṁ apaññassa,
paññā natthi ajhāyato;
Yamhi jhānañca paññā ca,
sa ve nibbānasantike.

Suññāgāraṁ paviṭṭhassa,
santacittassa bhikkhuno;
Amānusī rati hoti,
sammā dhammaṁ vipassato.

Yato yato sammasati,
khandhānaṁ udayabbayaṁ;
Labhatī pītipāmojjaṁ,
amataṁ taṁ vijānataṁ.

Tatrāyamādi bhavati,
idha paññassa bhikkhuno;
Indriyagutti santuṭṭhi,
pātimokkhe ca saṁvaro.

Mitte bhajassu kalyāṇe,
suddhājīve atandite;
Paṭisanthāravutyassa,
ācārakusalo siyā;
Tato pāmojjabahulo,
dukkhassantaṁ karissati.

Vassikā viya pupphāni,
maddavāni pamuñcati;
Evaṁ rāgañca dosañca,
vippamuñcetha bhikkhavo.

Santakāyo santavāco,
santavā susamāhito;
Vantalokāmiso bhikkhu,
“upasanto”ti vuccati.

Attanā codayattānaṁ,
paṭimaṁsetha attanā;
So attagutto satimā,
sukhaṁ bhikkhu vihāhisi.

Attā hi attano nātho,
ko hi nātho paro siyā;
Attā hi attano gati,
tasmā saṁyamamattānaṁ;
Assaṁ bhadraṁva vāṇijo.

Pāmojjabahulo bhikkhu,
pasanno buddhasāsane;
Adhigacche padaṁ santaṁ,
saṅkhārūpasamaṁ sukhaṁ.

Yo have daharo bhikkhu,
yuñjati buddhasāsane;
Somaṁ lokaṁ pabhāseti,
abbhā muttova candimā.

Last updated on September 13, 2025

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