Verses 231, 232, 233 and 234

Dhammapada Verses 231, 232, 233 and 234

The Story of a Group of Six Bhikkhus

Six bhikkhus wearing wooden sandals, and each holding a staff with both hands, were walking to and fro on a big stone slab, making much noise. The Buddha hearing the noises asked Thera Ananda what was going on, and Thera Ananda told him about the six bhikkhus. The Buddha then prohibited the bhikkhus from wearing wooden sandals. He further exhorted the bhikkhus to restrain themselves both in words and deeds.

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Kayappakopam rakkheyya
kayena sambyuto siya
kayaduccaritam hitva
kayena sucaritam care.

Verse 231: Guard against evil deeds, control your body. Giving up evil deeds, cultivate good deeds.

Vacipakopam rakkheyya
vacaya samvuto siya
vaciduccaritam hitva
vacaya sucaritam care.

Verse 232: Guard against evil speech, control your speech. Giving up evil speech, cultivate good speech.

Manopakopam rakkheyya
manasa samvuto siya
manoduccaritam hitva
manasa sucaritam care.

Verse 233: Guard against evil thoughts, control your mind. Giving up evil thoughts, cultivate good thoughts.

Kayena samvuta dhira
atho vacaya sambuta
manasa samvuta dhira
te ye suparisamvuta.

Verse 234: The wise are controlled in deed, they are controlled in speech, they are controlled in thought. Indeed, they are perfectly self-controlled.