The Bhikkhu chapter is a monk's operating manual whose counsel travels well beyond the monastery. It begins at the sense-doors: good is restraint of the eye, the ear, the nose, the tongue — of body, speech, and mind; the one restrained everywhere is freed from all suffering (25.1–25.2). The practitioner it praises is controlled in speech, content, and inwardly delighted (25.3–25.4). Its rowing image is beloved: bail out this boat, monk — emptied, it moves lightly; cut off lust and hatred, and reach Nibbana (25.10).
The chapter states one of the canon's crispest formulas about practice: there is no meditative absorption for one without wisdom, and no wisdom for one without meditation — in whom both are found, Nibbana is near (25.13). The rewards are described from inside: for the monk who enters an empty dwelling with a peaceful mind and rightly contemplates, there arises a more-than-human joy (25.14), watching the rise and fall of the aggregates — the deathless of those who know (25.15). Where to begin is spelled out: sense-restraint, contentment, discipline, good friends of pure livelihood (25.16–25.17). Shed lust and hatred as the jasmine sheds withered flowers (25.18); the self, again, is the self's own refuge (25.21).
Key verses
Bail out this boat, bhikkhu! Bailed out, it will move lightly for you. Having cut off lust and hatred, you will then reach nibbana.
There is no jhana for one without wisdom; no wisdom for one without jhana. In whom both jhana and wisdom are present — he indeed is near to nibbana.
The self is the lord of the self; the self is the refuge of the self. Therefore restrain yourself as a merchant restrains a fine horse.
Read Chapter 25 in full
Every verse with translation, word meanings, and commentary — free.
ऐप में मुफ़्त पढ़ेंपरंपराओं से पूछें
एक प्रश्न। पाँच परंपराओं के उत्तर।
बिना खाते के हर 24 घंटे में 2 प्रश्न।