Cut at the Root

"I ask you, Kinsman of the Sun,

great seer, about solitude and the state of peace:

seeing how does a monk reach *nibbāna*,

grasping at nothing in the world?"

"The root of all this proliferating talk —"

*(said the Buddha,)*

"the thought 'I am the thinker' — cut it off entirely.

Whatever cravings are within,

ever mindful, train to remove them.

Whatever they come to know,

within or without —

they shouldn't make strength of it.

The wise don't call that quenching.

They shouldn't think themselves better

or worse or equal.

Touched in many ways,

they don't keep fashioning a self.

Let them be stilled within.

The monk shouldn't seek peace from another.

For one stilled within —

nothing taken up, whence put down?

As in the middle of the ocean

no wave arises — it stays still —

so still, unstirring,

the monk makes no pretensions anywhere."

"Clear-eyed one, you've explained

the truth you saw, dispelling dangers.

Tell us the practice, venerable sir —

the rule, or concentration."

"No restless eyes.

Turn the ear from gossip.

No chasing flavors.

Don't take anything in the world as 'mine.'

When touched by contact,

the monk shouldn't mourn anywhere.

Don't long for existence.

Don't tremble in the face of dread.

Food and drink,

snacks and clothes —

getting them, don't hoard.

Don't worry when none come.

Meditate; don't wander.

Hold off worry. Don't be heedless.

In seats, in beds, in quiet places —

there the monk should dwell.

Don't sleep too much.

The ardent one practices wakefulness.

Sloth, deceit, mirth, play —

sex and ornaments — let them go.

Spells, dream-readings,

omens, astrology — none of that.

Animal-cries, abortion-work,

doctoring — my follower shouldn't go there.

Don't tremble at blame.

Don't gloat when praised.

Greed with possessiveness,

anger, slander — push them away.

No buying, no selling.

The monk shouldn't speak ill anywhere.

Don't linger in town.

Don't flatter people for profit.

The monk shouldn't be a boaster.

Don't speak from calculation.

Don't train in pushiness.

Don't speak to start quarrels.

Don't be drawn into lies.

Don't act deceitful, knowingly.

By livelihood, wisdom, or practice —

don't despise another for any of these.

Provoked, hearing much talk

from ascetics or ordinary folk —

don't snap back at them.

The good don't retaliate.

Knowing this teaching,

investigating, ever mindful — let the monk train.

Knowing quenching as peace,

let them not be heedless in Gotama's teaching.

For he is the conqueror, unconquered,

seer of truth from his own witness, not from hearsay.

So in the Blessed One's teaching,

diligent and reverent, let them train."