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DASAVEĀLIYA SUTTA
[ Ch. x
his body, the monk, who withdraws himself from the path of transmigration and who, knowing birth and death to be great dangers, becomes fixed in penance and monkhood, is the real monk. (14). Exercising control over hands, feet, tongue and senses, one, who becomes fixed in introspection, keeps himself contented and knows the sense of Scriptural Texts, is the real monk. (15). Not loving the appendages (like garments and the like), uncovetous, one, who begs in several places all unknown to him and, remains free from faults, who is free from sale, purchase and storing and is devoid of all attachments, is the real monk. (16). The monk, who begs in unknown families, remains without greed and has no fondness for tastes, who does not care for life, who brushes aside prosperity, respect or worship, and who remains steady and undeceitful, is the real monk. (17). Do not say with respect to another monk that he has no character; do not say any. thing by which another would be angry; one, who observes this and, knowing that merit and demerit pertain separately to individuals, does not become proud of himself is the real monk. (18). Not proud of caste nor of form, not proud of gain nor of learning, one, who avoids every kind of pride and becomes devoted to religious meditation, is the real monk. (19). The great sage should know the precepts of the true religion; stationed in religion, he places others also there; having quitted the house he should avoid any practice of bad monks; he should not laugh or joke; one who does this is a real monk. (20). The monk, who has made himself firm in his eternal benefit, abandons forever any desire for embodied life which is impure and temporary. Having snapped asunder the cause of life and death, the monk goes to a place from which there is no return. (21).
