iti.111 Itivuttaka

Perfect in Virtue

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, you should live perfect in virtue, perfect in the practice of the rules of discipline, and be restrained by the restraint of the rules. Perfect in conduct and resort, seeing danger in the slightest faults, you should train in the rules of training you have undertaken. Living perfect in virtue, bhikkhus, … and training in the rules of training you have undertaken, what is there further that should be done?

“If while he is walking, standing, sitting, and lying down a bhikkhu is free from covetousness and ill will, free from sloth and torpor, free from restlessness and worry, and has abandoned doubts, his energy becomes strong and unflagging, his mindfulness is alert and unclouded, his body is calm and undistressed, his mind concentrated and one-pointed. A bhikkhu who in such a manner is ardent and afraid of wrongdoing is called constantly energetic and resolute.”

Controlled while walking,
Controlled while standing,
Controlled while sitting,
Controlled while reclining,
Controlled in bending and
Stretching his limbs—
Above, across, and below,
As far as the world extends,
A bhikkhu observes how things occur,
The arising and passing of the aggregates.

Living thus ardently,
Of calm and quiet conduct,
Ever mindful, he trains in the course
Of calm tranquillity of mind.
Such a bhikkhu is said to be
One who is ever resolute.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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Accomplishment in Ethics

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, live by the ethical precepts and the monastic code. Live restrained in the code of conduct, conducting yourselves well and seeking alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, keep the rules you’ve undertaken.
When you’ve done this, what more is there to do?
Suppose a mendicant has got rid of desire and ill will while walking, and has given up dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, and doubt. Their energy is roused up and unflagging, their mindfulness is established and lucid, their body is tranquil and undisturbed, and their mind is immersed in samādhi.
Such a mendicant is said to be ‘keen and prudent, always energetic and determined’ when walking.
Suppose a mendicant has got rid of desire and ill will while standing …
sitting …
or when lying down while awake.
Such a mendicant is said to be ‘keen and prudent, always energetic and determined’ when lying down while awake.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Carefully walking, carefully standing,
carefully sitting, carefully lying;
a mendicant carefully bends their limbs,
and carefully extends them.
Above, below, all round,
as far as the earth extends;
they scrutinize the rise and fall
of phenomena such as the aggregates.
Meditating diligently like this,
peaceful and stable,
training in what leads to serenity of heart,
always staying mindful;
they call such a mendicant
‘always determined’.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.