Pañcabhikkhuvatthu

Restraint of the eye is good; Cakkhunā saṁvaro sādhu, good is restraint of the ear; sādhu sotena saṁvaro; restraint of the nose is good; Ghānena saṁvaro sādhu, good is restraint of the tongue. sādhu jivhāya saṁvaro.

Restraint of the body is good; Kāyena saṁvaro sādhu, good is restraint of speech; sādhu vācāya saṁvaro; restraint of mind is good; Manasā saṁvaro sādhu, everywhere, restraint is good. sādhu sabbattha saṁvaro; The mendicant restrained everywhere Sabbattha saṁvuto bhikkhu, is released from all suffering. sabbadukkhā pamuccati.

Haṁsaghātakabhikkhuvatthu

One restrained in hand and foot, Hatthasaṁyato pādasaṁyato, and in speech, the supreme restraint; Vācāsaṁyato saṁyatuttamo; happy inside, serene, Ajjhattarato samāhito, solitary, content, I call a mendicant. Eko santusito tamāhu bhikkhuṁ.

Kokālikavatthu

When a mendicant of restrained mouth, Yo mukhasaṁyato bhikkhu, thoughtful in counsel, not restless, mantabhāṇī anuddhato; explains the text and its meaning, Atthaṁ dhammañca dīpeti, their words are sweet. madhuraṁ tassa bhāsitaṁ.

Dhammārāmattheravatthu

Delighting in the teaching, enjoying the teaching, Dhammārāmo dhammarato, contemplating the teaching, dhammaṁ anuvicintayaṁ; a mendicant who recollects the teaching Dhammaṁ anussaraṁ bhikkhu, doesn’t fall away from the true teaching. saddhammā na parihāyati.

Vipakkhasevakabhikkhuvatthu

A well-off mendicant ought not look down Salābhaṁ nātimaññeyya, on others, nor should they be envious. nāññesaṁ pihayaṁ care; A mendicant who envies others Aññesaṁ pihayaṁ bhikkhu, does not achieve immersion. samādhiṁ nādhigacchati.

If a mendicant is poor in offerings, Appalābhopi ce bhikkhu, the well-to-do ought not look down on them. salābhaṁ nātimaññati; For the gods indeed praise them, Taṁ ve devā pasaṁsanti, who are tireless and pure of livelihood. suddhājīviṁ atanditaṁ.

Pañcaggadāyakabrāhmaṇavatthu

One who has no sense of ownership Sabbaso nāmarūpasmiṁ, in the whole realm of name and form, yassa natthi mamāyitaṁ; who does not grieve for that which is not, Asatā ca na socati, is said to be a mendicant. sa ve “bhikkhū”ti vuccati.

Sambahulabhikkhuvatthu

A mendicant who meditates on love, Mettāvihārī yo bhikkhu, devoted to the Buddha’s teaching, pasanno buddhasāsane; would realize the peaceful state, Adhigacche padaṁ santaṁ, the blissful stilling of conditions. saṅkhārūpasamaṁ sukhaṁ.

Bail out this boat, mendicant! Siñca bhikkhu imaṁ nāvaṁ, When bailed out it will float lightly. sittā te lahumessati; Having cut off desire and hate, Chetvā rāgañca dosañca, you shall reach extinguishment. tato nibbānamehisi.

Five to cut, five to drop, Pañca chinde pañca jahe, and five more to develop. pañca cuttari bhāvaye; When a mendicant slips five chains Pañca saṅgātigo bhikkhu, they’re said to have crossed the flood. “oghatiṇṇo”ti vuccati.

Practice absorption, don’t be negligent! Jhāya bhikkhu mā pamādo, Don’t let the mind delight in the senses! Mā te kāmaguṇe ramessu cittaṁ; Don’t heedlessly swallow a hot iron ball! Mā lohaguḷaṁ gilī pamatto, And when it burns, don’t cry, “Oh, the pain!” Mā kandi “dukkhamidan”ti dayhamāno.

No absorption for one without wisdom, Natthi jhānaṁ apaññassa, no wisdom for one without absorption. paññā natthi ajhāyato; But one with absorption and wisdom—Yamhi jhānañca paññā ca, they have truly drawn near to extinguishment. sa ve nibbānasantike.

A mendicant who enters an empty hut Suññāgāraṁ paviṭṭhassa, with mind at peace santacittassa bhikkhuno; finds a superhuman delight Amānusī rati hoti, as they rightly discern the Dhamma. sammā dhammaṁ vipassato.

Whenever they are mindful Yato yato sammasati, of the rise and fall of the aggregates, khandhānaṁ udayabbayaṁ; they feel rapture and joy: Labhatī pītipāmojjaṁ, that is freedom from death for one who knows. amataṁ taṁ vijānataṁ.

This is the very start of the path Tatrāyamādi bhavati, for a wise mendicant: idha paññassa bhikkhuno; guarding the senses, contentment, Indriyagutti santuṭṭhi, and restraint in the monastic code. pātimokkhe ca saṁvaro.

Mix with spiritual friends, Mitte bhajassu kalyāṇe, who are tireless and pure of livelihood. suddhājīve atandite; Share what you have with others, Paṭisanthāravutyassa, being skillful in your conduct. ācārakusalo siyā; And when you’re full of joy, Tato pāmojjabahulo, you’ll make an end to suffering. dukkhassantaṁ karissati.

Pañcasatabhikkhuvatthu

As a jasmine sheds Vassikā viya pupphāni, its withered flowers, maddavāni pamuñcati; O mendicants, Evaṁ rāgañca dosañca, shed greed and hate. vippamuñcetha bhikkhavo.

Santakāyattheravatthu

Calm in body, calm in speech, Santakāyo santavāco, peaceful and serene; santavā susamāhito; a mendicant who’s spat out the world’s bait Vantalokāmiso bhikkhu, is said to be one at peace. “upasanto”ti vuccati.

Naṅgalakulattheravatthu

Urge yourself on, Attanā codayattānaṁ, reflect on yourself. paṭimaṁsetha attanā; A mendicant self-controlled and mindful So attagutto satimā, will always dwell in happiness. sukhaṁ bhikkhu vihāhisi.

Self is indeed the lord of self, Attā hi attano nātho, for who else would be one’s lord? ko hi nātho paro siyā; Self is indeed the home of self, Attā hi attano gati, so restrain yourself, tasmā saṁyamamattānaṁ; as a merchant his thoroughbred steed. Assaṁ bhadraṁva vāṇijo.

Vakkalittheravatthu

A monk full of joy Pāmojjabahulo bhikkhu, trusting in the Buddha’s teaching, pasanno buddhasāsane; would realize the peaceful state, Adhigacche padaṁ santaṁ, the blissful stilling of conditions. saṅkhārūpasamaṁ sukhaṁ.

Sumanasāmaṇeravatthu

A young mendicant Yo have daharo bhikkhu, devoted to the Buddha’s teaching, yuñjati buddhasāsane; lights up the world, Somaṁ lokaṁ pabhāseti, like the moon freed from clouds. abbhā muttova candimā.

Bhikkhuvaggo pañcavīsatimo.