The Sutta Nipata
The "Sutta Collection"
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Sutta Nipata II.9
Kimsila Sutta
Right Conduct
Translated from the Pali by John D. Ireland.
Read an alternate translation by Thanissaro
Bhikkhu
"By developing what habit, what conduct, what actions
may man be correctly established in and arrive at the highest goal?
"He should respect his elders and not be envious of
them. He should know the right time for seeing his teacher. [1]
If a talk on Dhamma has started he should know the value of the opportunity and
should listen carefully to the well-spoken words. [2]
"When the time is right let him go to his teacher's
presence, unassuming, putting aside stubbornness. Let him keep in mind and
practice (what he has learned): the meaning and the text (of the Teaching),
self-control and (the other virtues of) the Holy Life. [3]
Delighting in the Dhamma, devoted to the Dhamma, established in the Dhamma,
skilled in investigating the Dhamma, [4] let him not
indulge in talk harmful to the (practice of) Dhamma. Let him be guided by
well-spoken truths.
"Abandoning the uttering of laughter and lamentations;
giving up anger, fraud, hypocrisy, longing, conceit, violence, harshness, moral
taints and infatuation; let him live without pride, self controlled.
Understanding is essential (for listening) to a well-spoken word. Learning and
understanding are essential to meditation, but a man who is hasty and heedless
does not increase his wisdom and learning.
"Those who are devoted to the Dhamma made known by the
Noble Ones (ariya) are unsurpassed in speech, thought and action. They are
established in peace, gentleness and concentration, and have reached the essence
of learning and wisdom."
-- vv. 324-330
Notes
1. That is when needing their advice
for dispelling mental defilements.
[Go back]
2. The phrase "well-spoken"
(subhasita) is a technical term in the Pali Canon. It refers to sayings
connected with Dhamma and concerning one's well-being, happiness and progress on
the path.
[Go back]
3. The rendering follows the
Commentary.
[Go back]
4. Or, "having discriminative
knowledge of the Dhamma."
[Go back]
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