[28] Bhikkhus, there are these four noble lineages (ariyavaṃsa) — known as foremost, known as of long standing, known as the traditional lineage, ancient, unadulterated and never before adulterated; they are not being adulterated and they will not be adulterated; they are not repudiated by wise ascetics and brahmins. What four?
Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is content (santuṭṭha) with any kind of robe whatsoever, and he speaks in praise of contentment with any kind of robe; nor does he, for the sake of a robe, engage in an improper search, in what is unbefitting; if he does not get a robe he is not agitated, and if he gets a robe he uses it without being tied to it, uninfatuated, not blindly absorbed, seeing the danger in it and possessing the wisdom of escape. Yet on account of that contentment with any kind of robe he neither exalts himself nor disparages others. Whoever is skillful therein, not indolent, clearly comprehending and mindful — this one, bhikkhus, is called a bhikkhu who stands in the ancient, foremost noble lineage.
Further, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is content with any kind of almsfood whatsoever, and he speaks in praise of contentment with any kind of almsfood; nor does he, for the sake of almsfood, engage in an improper search, in what is unbefitting; if he does not get almsfood he is not agitated, and if he gets almsfood he uses it without being tied to it, uninfatuated, not blindly absorbed, seeing the danger in it and possessing the wisdom of escape. Yet on account of that contentment with any kind of almsfood he neither exalts himself nor disparages others. Whoever is skillful therein, not indolent, clearly comprehending and mindful — this one, bhikkhus, is called a bhikkhu who stands in the ancient, foremost noble lineage.
Further, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is content with any kind of lodging whatsoever, and he speaks in praise of contentment with any kind of lodging; nor does he, for the sake of lodging, engage in an improper search, in what is unbefitting; if he does not get a lodging he is not agitated, and if he gets a lodging he uses it without being tied to it, uninfatuated, not blindly absorbed, seeing the danger in it and possessing the wisdom of escape. Yet on account of that contentment with any kind of lodging he neither exalts himself nor disparages others. Whoever is skillful therein, not indolent, clearly comprehending and mindful — this one, bhikkhus, is called a bhikkhu who stands in the ancient, foremost noble lineage.
Further, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu delights in development (bhāvanā), is fond of development; he delights in abandonment (pahāna), is fond of abandonment. Yet on account of that delighting in development, that fondness for development, that delighting in abandonment, that fondness for abandonment, he neither exalts himself nor disparages others. Whoever is skillful therein, not indolent, clearly comprehending and mindful — this one, bhikkhus, is called a bhikkhu who stands in the ancient, foremost noble lineage.
These, bhikkhus, are the four noble lineages — known as foremost, known as of long standing, known as the traditional lineage, ancient, unadulterated and never before adulterated; they are not being adulterated and they will not be adulterated; they are not repudiated by wise ascetics and brahmins.
And, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu endowed with these four noble lineages, even if he dwells in the eastern quarter, it is he who overcomes discontent; discontent does not overcome him. Even if he dwells in the western quarter … even if he dwells in the northern quarter … even if he dwells in the southern quarter, it is he who overcomes discontent; discontent does not overcome him. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, the steadfast one is a conqueror of discontent and delight.
Discontent does not overcome the steadfast one;
discontent does not overpower the steadfast one.
The steadfast one overcomes discontent,
for the steadfast one is a conqueror of discontent.
Who could obstruct the dispeller,
one who has given up all kamma?
Who is worthy to blame him,
who is like a coin of gold from the Jambū river?
Even the devas praise him;
by Brahmā too he is praised.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.