iti.97 Itivuttaka

Lovely Behaviour

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu who is of lovely behaviour, lovely nature, and lovely wisdom is called in this Dhamma-and-Discipline one who is fully accomplished, who has reached fulfilment, the supreme among humans.

“And how is a bhikkhu of lovely behaviour? Here, a bhikkhu is virtuous, he lives restrained by the restraint of the rules of discipline, endowed with perfect conduct and resort; seeing danger in the slightest faults, he undertakes the rules of training and trains in them. In this way a bhikkhu is one who is of lovely behaviour. Thus he is of lovely behaviour.

“And how is he of lovely nature? Here, a bhikkhu lives engaged in cultivating the seven groups of the requisites of enlightenment. In this way a bhikkhu is one who is of lovely nature. Thus he is of lovely behaviour and lovely nature.

“And how is he of lovely wisdom? Here, through realization by his own direct knowledge, a bhikkhu here and now enters and abides in the mind-release and wisdom-release that is taintless by the destruction of the taints. In this way a bhikkhu is one who is of lovely wisdom.

“Thus he is of lovely behaviour, lovely nature, and lovely wisdom. In this Dhamma-and-Discipline he is called one who is fully accomplished, who has reached fulfilment and is supreme among humans.”

A conscientious bhikkhu
Who never does wrong in any way,
Neither by body, speech, or mind,
Is called “one of lovely behaviour.”

An unassuming bhikkhu
Who has cultivated well the states
That lead to enlightenment
Is called “one of lovely nature.”

A taintless bhikkhu
Who understands for himself
The end of suffering here
Is called “one of lovely wisdom.”

He who excels in these three things,
Untroubled, with doubt destroyed,
Unattached in all the world,
Is called “one who has abandoned all.”

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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Good Morals

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, in this teaching and training a mendicant of good morals, good practice, and good wisdom is called consummate, accomplished, a supreme person.
And how does a mendicant have good morals?
It’s when a mendicant is ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and seeking alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken.
That’s how a mendicant has good morals.
Such is one of good morality.
And how does one have good practice?
It’s when a mendicant meditates pursuing the development of the seven qualities that lead to awakening.
That’s how a mendicant has good practice.
Such is one of good morality and good practice.
And how does one have good wisdom?
It’s when a mendicant realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements.
That’s how a mendicant has good wisdom;
Such is one of good morals, good practice, and good wisdom, who in this teaching and training is called consummate, accomplished, a supreme person.
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Who does nothing wrong
by body, speech or mind,
is said to be one good morals,
a conscientious mendicant.
Who has well developed the seven
factors that lead to awakening
is said to be one good practice,
a humble mendicant.
Who understands for themselves
the end of suffering in this life
is said to be one good wisdom,
an undefiled mendicant.
One accomplished in these three things,
untroubled, with doubts cut off,
unattached to anything in the world,
has given up everything, they say.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.