The Buddha describes two types of bhikkhus based on how they deal with thoughts of sensuality, ill will, and harming while walking, standing, sitting, and lying down, and which one is capable of reaching the highest awakening.

ITI 110  Cara sutta - Walking

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, as I have heard:

“Carato cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu adhivāseti nappajahati na vinodeti na byantīkaroti na anabhāvaṁ gameti. Carampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁbhūto anātāpī anottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ kusīto hīnavīriyoti vuccati.

“Bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is walking, a |thought of sensuality::thought related to enjoyment of sensual pleasures, sexual thought [kāmavitakka]|, a |thought of ill will::intentional thought of mental rejection, hostility, or malevolence toward others; deliberate contemplation rooted in antipathy or wishing harm [byāpādavitakka]| or a |thought of harming::idea of hurting, thought of cruelty [vihiṁsāvitakka]| arises, and if that bhikkhu tolerates it, does not abandon it, dispel it, eliminate it, or bring it to an end, even while walking, such a bhikkhu is called ‘unmotivated, |without concern::without regret, without remorse [anottāpī]|, constantly slack, and |weak in effort::low in energy, lacking in endurance [hīnavīriya]|.’

Ṭhitassa cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu adhivāseti nappajahati na vinodeti na byantīkaroti na anabhāvaṁ gameti. Ṭhitopi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁbhūto anātāpī anottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ kusīto hīnavīriyoti vuccati.

Bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is standing, a thought of sensuality, a thought of ill will or a thought of harming arises, and if that bhikkhu tolerates it, does not abandon it, dispel it, eliminate it, or bring it to an end, even while standing, such a bhikkhu is called ‘unmotivated, without concern, constantly slack, and weak in effort.’

Nisinnassa cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu adhivāseti nappajahati na vinodeti na byantīkaroti na anabhāvaṁ gameti. Nisinnopi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁbhūto anātāpī anottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ kusīto hīnavīriyoti vuccati.

Similarly, bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is sitting, a thought of sensuality, a thought of ill will or a thought of harming arises, and if that bhikkhu tolerates it, does not abandon it, dispel it, eliminate it, or bring it to an end, even while sitting, such a bhikkhu is called ‘unmotivated, without concern, constantly slack, and weak in effort.’

Sayānassa cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno jāgarassa uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu adhivāseti nappajahati na vinodeti na byantīkaroti na anabhāvaṁ gameti. Sayānopi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu jāgaro evaṁbhūto anātāpī anottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ kusīto hīnavīriyoti vuccati.

Similarly, bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is lying down but awake, a thought of sensuality, a thought of ill will or a thought of harming arises, and if that bhikkhu tolerates it, does not abandon it, dispel it, eliminate it, or bring it to an end, even while lying down, such a bhikkhu is called ‘unmotivated, without concern, constantly slack, and weak in effort.’

Carato cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu nādhivāseti pajahati vinodeti byantīkaroti anabhāvaṁ gameti. Carampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁbhūto ātāpī ottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ āraddhavīriyo pahitattoti vuccati.

Bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is walking, a thought of sensuality, a thought of ill will, or a thought of harming arises, and if that bhikkhu does not tolerate it but abandons it, dispels it, eliminates it, and brings it to an end, even while walking, such a bhikkhu is called ‘|with continuous effort::ardent, zealous, with energy, with application [ātāpī]|, |with concern::with shame, with regret, having remorse [ottāpī]|, continuously |with energy aroused::with initiative [āraddhavīriya]|, and |determined::resolute, applying oneself [pahitatta]|.’

Ṭhitassa cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu nādhivāseti pajahati vinodeti byantīkaroti anabhāvaṁ gameti. Ṭhitopi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁbhūto ātāpī ottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ āraddhavīriyo pahitattoti vuccati.

Bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is standing, a thought of sensuality, a thought of ill will, or a thought of harming arises, and if that bhikkhu does not tolerate it but abandons it, dispels it, eliminates it, and brings it to an end, even while standing, such a bhikkhu is called ‘with continuous effort, with concern, continuously with energy aroused, and determined.’

Nisinnassa cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu nādhivāseti pajahati vinodeti byantīkaroti anabhāvaṁ gameti. Nisinnopi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁbhūto ātāpī ottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ āraddhavīriyo pahitattoti vuccati.

Similarly, bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is sitting, a thought of sensuality, a thought of ill will, or a thought of harming arises, and if that bhikkhu does not tolerate it but abandons it, dispels it, eliminates it, and brings it to an end, even while sitting, such a bhikkhu is called ‘with continuous effort, with concern, continuously with energy aroused, and determined.’

Sayānassa cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno jāgarassa uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu nādhivāseti pajahati vinodeti byantīkaroti anabhāvaṁ gameti. Sayānopi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu jāgaro evaṁbhūto ātāpī ottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ āraddhavīriyo pahitattoti vuccatī”ti.

Likewise, bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is lying down but awake, a thought of sensuality, a thought of ill will, or a thought of harming arises, and if that bhikkhu does not tolerate it but abandons it, dispels it, eliminates it, and brings it to an end, even while lying down, such a bhikkhu is called ‘with continuous effort, with concern, continuously with energy aroused, and determined.’”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:

“Caraṁ yadi tiṭṭhaṁ,
nisinno uda sayaṁ;
Yo vitakkaṁ vitakketi,
pāpakaṁ gehanissitaṁ.

“Whether walking or standing,
sitting or lying down;
Whoever nurtures |harmful thoughts::thoughts which when acted upon lead to harm or injury or karmically unprofitable mental states [pāpaka + vitakka]|,
connected to the household life —

Kummaggaṁ paṭipanno so,
mohaneyyesu mucchito;
Abhabbo tādiso bhikkhu,
phuṭṭhuṁ sambodhimuttamaṁ.

Such a one is |on the wrong path::following an incorrect way of practice [kummaggappaṭipanno]|,
|infatuated with defilements::fixated on what is unwholesome, deluded by what is impure [mohaneyyesu + mucchita]|;
That kind of bhikkhu is incapable,
of reaching the |highest::supreme, ultimate [uttama]| awakening.

Yo ca caraṁ tiṭṭhaṁ vā,
Nisinno uda sayaṁ;
Vitakkaṁ samayitvāna,
Vitakkūpasame rato;
Bhabbo so tādiso bhikkhu,
Phuṭṭhuṁ sambodhimuttaman”ti.

But one who, whether walking or standing,
sitting or lying down;
Has |calmed::subsided, settled, stilled [samayitvāna]| their thoughts,
delighting in the |stilling of thoughts::settling the mind [vitakkūpasama]|;
That kind of bhikkhu is capable,
of reaching the highest awakening.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, as I have heard:

“Bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is walking, a |thought of sensuality::thought related to enjoyment of sensual pleasures, sexual thought [kāmavitakka]|, a |thought of ill will::intentional thought of mental rejection, hostility, or malevolence toward others; deliberate contemplation rooted in antipathy or wishing harm [byāpādavitakka]| or a |thought of harming::idea of hurting, thought of cruelty [vihiṁsāvitakka]| arises, and if that bhikkhu tolerates it, does not abandon it, dispel it, eliminate it, or bring it to an end, even while walking, such a bhikkhu is called ‘unmotivated, |without concern::without regret, without remorse [anottāpī]|, constantly slack, and |weak in effort::low in energy, lacking in endurance [hīnavīriya]|.’

Bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is standing, a thought of sensuality, a thought of ill will or a thought of harming arises, and if that bhikkhu tolerates it, does not abandon it, dispel it, eliminate it, or bring it to an end, even while standing, such a bhikkhu is called ‘unmotivated, without concern, constantly slack, and weak in effort.’

Similarly, bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is sitting, a thought of sensuality, a thought of ill will or a thought of harming arises, and if that bhikkhu tolerates it, does not abandon it, dispel it, eliminate it, or bring it to an end, even while sitting, such a bhikkhu is called ‘unmotivated, without concern, constantly slack, and weak in effort.’

Similarly, bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is lying down but awake, a thought of sensuality, a thought of ill will or a thought of harming arises, and if that bhikkhu tolerates it, does not abandon it, dispel it, eliminate it, or bring it to an end, even while lying down, such a bhikkhu is called ‘unmotivated, without concern, constantly slack, and weak in effort.’

Bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is walking, a thought of sensuality, a thought of ill will, or a thought of harming arises, and if that bhikkhu does not tolerate it but abandons it, dispels it, eliminates it, and brings it to an end, even while walking, such a bhikkhu is called ‘|with continuous effort::ardent, zealous, with energy, with application [ātāpī]|, |with concern::with shame, with regret, having remorse [ottāpī]|, continuously |with energy aroused::with initiative [āraddhavīriya]|, and |determined::resolute, applying oneself [pahitatta]|.’

Bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is standing, a thought of sensuality, a thought of ill will, or a thought of harming arises, and if that bhikkhu does not tolerate it but abandons it, dispels it, eliminates it, and brings it to an end, even while standing, such a bhikkhu is called ‘with continuous effort, with concern, continuously with energy aroused, and determined.’

Similarly, bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is sitting, a thought of sensuality, a thought of ill will, or a thought of harming arises, and if that bhikkhu does not tolerate it but abandons it, dispels it, eliminates it, and brings it to an end, even while sitting, such a bhikkhu is called ‘with continuous effort, with concern, continuously with energy aroused, and determined.’

Likewise, bhikkhus, if while a bhikkhu is lying down but awake, a thought of sensuality, a thought of ill will, or a thought of harming arises, and if that bhikkhu does not tolerate it but abandons it, dispels it, eliminates it, and brings it to an end, even while lying down, such a bhikkhu is called ‘with continuous effort, with concern, continuously with energy aroused, and determined.’”

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:

“Whether walking or standing,
sitting or lying down;
Whoever nurtures |harmful thoughts::thoughts which when acted upon lead to harm or injury or karmically unprofitable mental states [pāpaka + vitakka]|,
connected to the household life —

Such a one is |on the wrong path::following an incorrect way of practice [kummaggappaṭipanno]|,
|infatuated with defilements::fixated on what is unwholesome, deluded by what is impure [mohaneyyesu + mucchita]|;
That kind of bhikkhu is incapable,
of reaching the |highest::supreme, ultimate [uttama]| awakening.

But one who, whether walking or standing,
sitting or lying down;
Has |calmed::subsided, settled, stilled [samayitvāna]| their thoughts,
delighting in the |stilling of thoughts::settling the mind [vitakkūpasama]|;
That kind of bhikkhu is capable,
of reaching the highest awakening.”

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

“Carato cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu adhivāseti nappajahati na vinodeti na byantīkaroti na anabhāvaṁ gameti. Carampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁbhūto anātāpī anottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ kusīto hīnavīriyoti vuccati.

Ṭhitassa cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu adhivāseti nappajahati na vinodeti na byantīkaroti na anabhāvaṁ gameti. Ṭhitopi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁbhūto anātāpī anottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ kusīto hīnavīriyoti vuccati.

Nisinnassa cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu adhivāseti nappajahati na vinodeti na byantīkaroti na anabhāvaṁ gameti. Nisinnopi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁbhūto anātāpī anottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ kusīto hīnavīriyoti vuccati.

Sayānassa cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno jāgarassa uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu adhivāseti nappajahati na vinodeti na byantīkaroti na anabhāvaṁ gameti. Sayānopi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu jāgaro evaṁbhūto anātāpī anottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ kusīto hīnavīriyoti vuccati.

Carato cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu nādhivāseti pajahati vinodeti byantīkaroti anabhāvaṁ gameti. Carampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁbhūto ātāpī ottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ āraddhavīriyo pahitattoti vuccati.

Ṭhitassa cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu nādhivāseti pajahati vinodeti byantīkaroti anabhāvaṁ gameti. Ṭhitopi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁbhūto ātāpī ottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ āraddhavīriyo pahitattoti vuccati.

Nisinnassa cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu nādhivāseti pajahati vinodeti byantīkaroti anabhāvaṁ gameti. Nisinnopi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁbhūto ātāpī ottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ āraddhavīriyo pahitattoti vuccati.

Sayānassa cepi, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno jāgarassa uppajjati kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko vā. Tañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu nādhivāseti pajahati vinodeti byantīkaroti anabhāvaṁ gameti. Sayānopi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu jāgaro evaṁbhūto ātāpī ottāpī satataṁ samitaṁ āraddhavīriyo pahitattoti vuccatī”ti.

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

“Caraṁ yadi tiṭṭhaṁ,
nisinno uda sayaṁ;
Yo vitakkaṁ vitakketi,
pāpakaṁ gehanissitaṁ.

Kummaggaṁ paṭipanno so,
mohaneyyesu mucchito;
Abhabbo tādiso bhikkhu,
phuṭṭhuṁ sambodhimuttamaṁ.

Yo ca caraṁ tiṭṭhaṁ vā,
Nisinno uda sayaṁ;
Vitakkaṁ samayitvāna,
Vitakkūpasame rato;
Bhabbo so tādiso bhikkhu,
Phuṭṭhuṁ sambodhimuttaman”ti.

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

Last updated on September 13, 2025

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