iti.86 Itivuttaka

Practice According to Dhamma

This was said by the Lord…

“When referring to a bhikkhu who practises according to Dhamma, this is the proper way of defining ‘practice according to Dhamma.’ When speaking he speaks only Dhamma, not non-Dhamma. When thinking he thinks only thoughts of Dhamma, not thoughts of non-Dhamma. By avoiding these two he lives with equanimity, mindful and clearly comprehending.”

A bhikkhu enjoying the Dhamma
And delighting in the Dhamma,
Reflecting upon the Dhamma,
Does not fall from the true Dhamma.

Whether walking or standing,
Sitting or lying down,
With mind inwardly restrained,
He attains to lasting peace.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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Practicing In Line With the Teaching

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Regarding a mendicant practicing in line with the teaching, it is in line with the teaching to declare that
this is what it means to practice in line with the teaching. When speaking, they speak in line with the teaching, not against it. When thinking, they think in line with the teaching, not against it. And rejecting both, they meditate staying equanimous, mindful and aware.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Delighting in the teaching, enjoying the teaching,
contemplating the teaching,
a mendicant who recollects the teaching
doesn’t decline in the true teaching.
Whether walking or standing,
sitting or lying down,
with mind collected inside,
they attain only peace.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.