[421] 14.
"I ask you, Kinsman of the Sun (Ādiccabandhu),
the great seer, about seclusion (viveka)
and the state of peace (santipada):
seeing in what way is a bhikkhu quenched (nibbāti),
clinging to nothing in the world?"
"The root of reckonings born of proliferation (papañcasaṅkhā)," (said the Blessed One,)
"—the notion 'I am'—one should stop entirely by wisdom (mantā).
Whatever cravings (taṇhā) there may be within,
ever mindful, one should train for their removal.
Whatever state (dhamma) one may directly know,
whether within or without,
one should not make obstinacy of it;
for that is not called quenching (nibbuti) by the good.
Not thereby should one conceive oneself 'better,'
nor 'inferior,' nor yet 'equal';
touched by manifold forms,
one should not persist in conceiving notions of oneself.
Only within should one be at peace:
a bhikkhu should not seek peace from any other quarter.
For one at peace within,
there is nothing taken up (attā)—whence anything cast off (nirattaṃ)?
As in the middle of the ocean
no wave arises, but it stands steady,
so should he stand steady, unstirred:
a bhikkhu should make no swelling (ussada) anywhere."
"The One of Opened Vision has proclaimed
the Dhamma witnessed at first hand, the dispelling of perils (parissaya).
Now speak, venerable sir, of the way of practice (paṭipadā):
the Pātimokkha, and concentration (samādhi) too."
"One should not be wanton with the eyes;
one should close one's ear to village talk;
one should not hanker after tastes,
nor cherish anything in the world as one's own.
When touched by contact (phassa),
a bhikkhu should make no lamentation;
he should not yearn for existence anywhere,
nor tremble amid things of terror.
Having received food and drink,
edibles, and clothing too,
he should not make a hoard,
nor be alarmed when he does not receive them.
A meditator, not restless of foot,
one should refrain from remorse (kukkucca) and not be negligent;
moreover, in sitting-places and beds
where there is little sound a bhikkhu should dwell.
One should not indulge in much sleep;
ardent, one should devote oneself to wakefulness;
one should abandon indolence, deceit,
laughter, play, and sexual intercourse together with adornment.
Atharvan spells, dreams, and marks
one should not practise, nor astrology;
nor should my adherent (māmaka) pursue the cries of beasts,
the causing of conception, or the healer's art.
A bhikkhu should not tremble at blame,
nor be puffed up when praised;
he should dispel greed together with avarice,
anger, and slander.
A bhikkhu should not engage in buying and selling;
he should not engage in disparagement anywhere;
and he should not linger in the village;
he should not cajole people from desire for gain.
Nor should a bhikkhu be a boaster,
nor utter speech with an ulterior design;
he should not train in impudence,
nor talk contentious talk.
One should not be drawn into false speech;
clearly comprehending, one should commit no treachery;
and one should not despise another
for his manner of life, his wisdom, or his virtue and vows (sīlabbata).
Though provoked on hearing much talk
from ascetics or from common folk of many words,
one should not answer them harshly;
for the good do not retaliate.
And having understood this Dhamma,
investigating, a bhikkhu should train, ever mindful;
knowing quenching as 'peace,'
he should not be negligent in Gotama's teaching.
For he, a conqueror unconquered,
saw the Dhamma as an eyewitness, not by hearsay;
therefore, heedful in that Blessed One's teaching,
one should ever train, paying homage,"
(said the Blessed One).
The Tuvaṭaka Sutta, the Fourteenth.
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In the Suttanipāta, the fourth chapter, the Aṭṭhakavagga:
the fifteenth discourse, the Attadaṇḍa Sutta.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.