Chapter 25

The Almsman

23 verses

1 Global #360

Restraint with the eye is good; good is restraint by the ear; restraint by the nose is good; good is restraint with the tongue.
2 Global #361

Bodily restraint is good; good is restraint in speech; restraint of the mind is good; good in all respects is restraint. The almsman who is in all respects restrained is freed from all suffering.
3 Global #362

He is truly called an almsman whose hands are controlled, whose feet are controlled, whose speech is controlled, who is controlled in thought (or: supremely controlled), whose delight is within, (and) who is collected, solitary, content.
4 Global #363

The utterance is sweet of that almsman who controls his mouth, who speaks in moderation, who is not puffed up (with his knowledge), (and) who explains the meaning (of the Buddha’s words) and their practical application.
5 Global #364

An almsman who abides in the Teaching, who delights in the Teaching, who reflects on the Teaching, and who bears the Teaching in mind, will not fall away from the True Teaching (saddhamma).
6 Global #365

Let one not despise what he has gained (by way of alms); let him not live envying the gains of others. The almsman who envies the gains of others does not attain to (meditative) concentration.
7 Global #366

Even if an almsman’s gains (by way of alms) be very little, let him not despise what he has gained. The gods praise him who is of pure livelihood (and) unwearied.
8 Global #367

He is indeed called an almsman for whom nowhere in the mind and body is there anything of which to say ‘This is mine,’ and who does not grieve for what does not (really) exist.
9 Global #368

The almsman who dwells in loving-kindness, (and) who is happy in the mandate of the Buddha, would attain to the state that is peace (i.e., Nirvāṇa), to the quieting of conditioned existence (and) to bliss.
10 Global #369

Almsman, empty this boat! Emptied, it will go more (quickly and) lightly for you. Having cut out lust and hatred, you will then go to Nirvāṇa.
11 Global #370

Cut away five, abandon five, (and) in addition cultivate five. The almsman who has transcended the five attachments is called ‘One who has crossed the flood’.²¹
12 Global #371

Be absorbed (in higher meditative states), almsman! Don’t be heedless. Don’t allow your mind to whirl about among sensual pleasures. Don’t through heedlessness swallow a (red hot) iron ball, (and then) when it scorches you cry out ‘What torment!’
13 Global #372

There is no absorption in higher meditative states (jhāna) for one who is without wisdom (paññā); there is no wisdom for one who is unabsorbed in higher meditative states. He in whom are found (both) absorption in higher mental states and wisdom is truly in the (very) presence of Nirvāṇa.
14 Global #373

For the almsman who enters an empty cottage, who is of peaceful mind, and who perfectly comprehends the Dharma, there is a joy surpassing that of men.
15 Global #374

Howsoever one grasps (the fact of) the rise and fall of the aggregates (of conditioned existence), he attains a joy and delight that, to the discerning person, is (as) nectar.
16 Global #375

Here (in the world) the first thing for the wise almsman is this: control of the senses, contentment, restraint through observance of the (almsman’s) code of conduct, and association with friends who are virtuous, of pure life, (and) energetic.
17 Global #376

Let one be hospitable (and) well-mannered. Being on this account full of happiness one will make an end of suffering.
18 Global #377

Just as the jasmine (creeper) sheds its withered flowers so, almsmen, should you totally get rid of lust and hatred.
19 Global #378

He who is tranquil in body, tranquil in speech, (and) possessed of (mental) tranquillity, who is well integrated, (and) who has left behind worldly things – such an almsman is said to be at peace.
20 Global #379

Yourself reprove yourself. Yourself examine yourself. Thus self-guarded (and) mindful the almsman will live happily.
21 Global #380

One is one’s own protector; what other protector should there be? Therefore control this self of yours as a trader (manages) a noble steed.
22 Global #381

The almsman who is full of joy (and) happy in the instruction of the Buddha will attain to the State of Peace, to the blissful allaying of (mundane) conditions.
23 Global #382

A youthful almsman, even, who commits himself to the Buddha’s instruction, lights up the world like the moon (when) freed from cloud.

Footnotes

21. The five that are to be ‘cut away’ are the fetters (saṃyojana-s) of self-view, doubt, dependence on moral rules and religious observances, lust, and ill will. These five bind one to the realm of sense-desire. The five that are to be ‘abandoned’ are the fetters of desire for existence in the realm of archetypal form, desire for existence in the formless realm, conceit, restlessness, and ignorance. These bind one to the realm of archetypal form and the realm of formlessness. The five that are to be ‘cultivated’ are the five spiritual faculties (indriya-s) of faith, wisdom, concentration, energy, and mindfulness.