Unassuming View in explorer

7 discourses
A gentle, low-profile way of speaking and acting that avoids drawing attention to oneself; restrained in self-display, giving space to others, and simple in manner.
Also known as: courteous, low-key, respectful, not impudent, self-effacing, unpretentious
Pāli: appagabbha, sorata
Supported by
Humility

Humility

An honest, even-toned self-appraisal that stays open to feedback, honors others, and neither inflates nor denies one’s real abilities; it supports learning, concord, and restraint.

Also known as: accepting of correction, modesty, unpretentiousness, humbleness, freedom from self-importance, recognition of limits, staying teachable
Pāli: anatimāna
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Contentment

Contentment

The quality of being satisfied with the requisites one has and with the present conditions, resulting in having few desires and being free from agitation.

Also known as: fewness of wishes, having few desires, satisfaction, sense of ease
Pāli: santutthi, appicchatā, tuṭṭha, tosana
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Leads to
Non Regret

Non-regret

A mental quality of not regretting past actions, characterized by a clear conscience and absence of remorse; it arises from accomplishment in ethical conduct

Also known as: non-remorse, lit. not remembering back negatively
Pāli: avippaṭisāra
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Related
Politeness

Politeness

A relational quality of being considerate, timely, and gentle in conduct—especially in speech—that gives ease to others, attends to social cues, and avoids harshness; it supports concord in community.

Also known as: courtesy, being considerate, being well-mannered, friendliness
Pāli: paṭisanthāra, saṇha, sorata, sappatissa
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Opposite
Boastfulness

Boastfulness

A puffed-up self-display that advertises one's virtues, attainments, or status to win admiration. It springs from conceit and the craving for recognition, crowding out humility and genuine connection.

Also known as: braggart, exalting oneself, overbearing, self-promotion, self-praising
Pāli: attukkaṁsaka
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Verses on the cultivation of boundless loving-kindness for all beings, without exception. One should develop a protective, selfless love like a mother for her child. Maintained constantly, this "divine abiding" purifies the mind of ill-will and, combined with wisdom, leads to ultimate liberation.

The Buddha shares in poignant terms his observations on the agitation all beings experience which led to his urgency to awaken. He then shares on the path to awakening and describes the dwelling of an awakened being.

There is no other single external factor as helpful as good friendship for a trainee bhikkhu who is aspiring for the highest goal.

The Buddha explains the cause and condition by which a person comes to be recognized as aggressive or gentle. He illuminates how the presence or absence of passion, aversion, and delusion determines whether one is susceptible to provocation and reacts with anger, or remains unshaken.

The Buddha describes the conduct of a person who is said to be ‘peaceful’. Such a person is free from craving before the breaking up of body. He is one who examines distinctions in all contacts, withdrawn, straightforward, unassuming, unmoved amid views, not holding to a construct, and for whom, there is no ‘mine’ in the world.

Dhammapada verses 235-255 emphasize on the urgency of striving swiftly, not being negligent, discerning gradually, stains of various qualities. A contrast is drawn on the lives of one who is shameless and one with a sense of right and wrong, on finding the faults of others and one’s own, and on the path of the Tathāgatas.

Verses on the cultivation of boundless loving-kindness for all beings, without exception. One should develop a protective, selfless love like a mother for her child. Maintained constantly, this "divine abiding" purifies the mind of ill-will and, combined with wisdom, leads to ultimate liberation.