383.
Applying effort to cut off the stream that is worldly pursuits, as it is a priest who rejects these!
A priest is ungrateful towards conditioned things, as they have discovered these things decay.
384.
When the truth is seen through both ways,1 the priest has gone beyond existence.
Then, for one who knows, all fetters disappear.
385.
For one that the sense bases and objects, or both2 does not exist.
free from distress & detached (from the world), they I call a priest.
386.
Sat passionlessly in meditation, having done one’s duties so free from effluents.
Reaching the highest goal, they I call a priest.
387.
The sun shines by day, the moon shines at night.
The Warrior shines when armed, and the priest shines when meditating.
The Buddha shines all day and night.
388.
Keeping away from wrongdoing they are called a “priest”, they are called a “recluse” due to living in tranquillity.
Giving up pride and impurity, they are therefore called “One who has gone forth”.
389.
One should not hit a priest, nor should the priest get angry with them.
Shame on the priest’s attacker, but more shame on those who get angry.
390.
There is nothing better for a priest, than when they hold their mind back from what is pleasing.
To the extent they turn away from violent intent, to that extent stress is calmed.
391.
Whomever does no wrong by body, speech, or mind.
is restrained in three ways, they I call a priest.
392.
Whoever learns the truth from the Completely Upright Enlightened One.
They should show due respect, as a priest the fire sacrifice.
393.
Not through matted hair, ancestry, or birth is one a priest
In those who have Truth & Dhamma, they are pure and a priest.
394.
What use is your matted hair, or leather garments for the fool.
When inside you are a thicket (of passions), only outside are you clean.
395.
The one who wears cast off rags3 lean and covered with veins.
Meditating in a forest, they I call a priest.
396.
I do not call one a priest, because of being born by a high born mother.
They are known only as a "bho-sayer",4 if they have attachments.
Without attachment or possessions, they I call a priest.
397.
Having cut off all the fetters, they worry about nothing.
They who have overcome attachment and detached, they I call a priest.
398.
Having thrown off the thong and harness, together with the bridle.
They who have taken off the obstacles and are those who knows, they I call a priest.
399.
Whoever endures without anger, insults, abuse, and imprisonment.
Their strength and real power is forbearance, they I call a priest.
400.
They whom are controlled, dutiful, virtuous, & are not arrogant;
Properly tamed so living the last life, they I call a priest.
401.
Like Water to a lotus leaf, or a mustard seed to the point of a needle.
They who are not smeared by sensual pleasures, they I call a priest.
402.
Whoever clearly knows the destruction of stress by oneself.
Detached having put down their burden, they I call a priest.
403.
They who are wise and have penetrating knowledge, well versed in what is and is not the path.
having reached the highest Attainment, they I call a priest.
404.
Not associating with the laity, nor the ordained.
they who have no fixed dwelling and easily satisfied, they I call a priest.
405.
Those who have put aside the punishment of beings, be they fearful or fearless;
Who do not harm others nor cause their death, they I call a priest.
406.
One who is friendly among the hostile, calmed among the enraged,
and unattached among the attached, they I call a priest.
407.
Whoever’s attachment and anger, & mind of conceit have been thrown away,
like a mustard seed from the point of a needle, they I call a priest.
408.
Those who speak gentle, informative, and truthful words.
Which offends no-one, they I call a priest.
409.
Whomever does not take what is not given
- be it long or short, big or small, pleasant or unpleasant -
they I call a priest.5
410.
They who do not desire anything in this world or the next,
Independent and detached, they I call a priest.
411.
Without attachments, realising the truth without doubt.
Immersed in the deathless state, they I call a priest.
412.
Who has transcended the ties of both skilled and unskilled
Free from sorrow, defilements, & cleansed, they I call a priest.
413.
Those who are like the moon, spotless, clean, bright and undisturbed,
who have destroyed delighting in becoming, they I call a priest.
414.
Those who have travelled the difficult path, overcoming the delusional rounds of re-becoming.
Who meditating has crossed over and reached the other shore, free from lust and doubt.
Cooled without passion, they I call a priest.
415.
Those who have renounced sensual pleasures in this world, wanders as a homeless ascetic.
With their desire completely destroyed, they I call a priest.
416.
Those who have renounced thirst in this world, wanders as a homeless ascetic
With their thirst completely destroyed, they I call a priest.
417.
Who have destroyed human bonds, and overcome divine bonds.
Those who are detached from every bond, they I call a priest.
418.
Who have destroyed liking and disliking, Tranquil, and without attachment.
A hero, conquering the entire world,6 they I call a priest.
419.
Who fully knows the arising and passing away of beings.
Unattached; happy; and one who knows, they I call a priest.
420.
Whose direction7 is not known, not by gods, demi-gods, nor humans.
The fortunate one whose mind is free, they I call a priest.
421.
Whoever there is no attachment, before, during, or after.
Without attachment to possessions, they I call a priest.
422.
They are strong, noble, a hero, a great sage, and victorious.
Free from lust, their task finished, and with knowledge, they I call a priest.
423.
They know their previous becoming’s, understanding heaven and hell.
Reached the end of births, the sage who has attained higher wisdom.
Completely perfecting all that should be accomplished, they I call a priest.
brāhmaṇavaggo chabbīsatimo niṭṭhito.
The end of the group on priests, which came twenty-sixth.
The end of the group on priests, which came twenty-sixth.
Notes
1.
Through Samatha & Vipassana Meditation.
2.
This line literally translates as “this shore, the other shore, or both”, but refers to the senses.
3.
These rags would be from a charnel ground.
4.
'Bho' is a familiar term of address used to inferiors and equals. The epithet 'bhovadi', therefore, implies arrogance. Brahmins usually addressed the Buddha as 'Bho Gotama!' The term 'bhovadi' is applied reproachfully by the Buddhists to the brahmins.
5.
The first and third English lines are the second line in Pali, with the second English line being the first line of Pali.
6.
World refers to the sense spheres.
7.
Meaning destination after death, i.e. their next life.
Through Samatha & Vipassana Meditation.
2.
This line literally translates as “this shore, the other shore, or both”, but refers to the senses.
3.
These rags would be from a charnel ground.
4.
'Bho' is a familiar term of address used to inferiors and equals. The epithet 'bhovadi', therefore, implies arrogance. Brahmins usually addressed the Buddha as 'Bho Gotama!' The term 'bhovadi' is applied reproachfully by the Buddhists to the brahmins.
5.
The first and third English lines are the second line in Pali, with the second English line being the first line of Pali.
6.
World refers to the sense spheres.
7.
Meaning destination after death, i.e. their next life.