The Catu-Bhanavara-Pali (critical study)
by Moumita Dutta Banik | 2017 | 50,922 words
This study deals with the Catu-Bhanavara-Pali, (lit. “Text of the Four Recitals”) which in Buddhism is popularly known as “The Book of Protection”. This text, in the Pali language, represents a recital of the Dhamma meant for protection and deliverance from evil and sorrows as well as promoting welfare and well-being. The spreading time of Catubhan...
(6) The Dasadhamma Sutta
The next sutta is Dasadhamma[1] Sutta which contains the ten virtues which should be often recollected and practiced by Buddhist monks.
These ten essentials (dhammas) must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth (to live the holylife). What are these ten? They are as follows:-
(1) Moral change of one into a different mode (from that of a layman)-must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
(2) Life of one depends on others.
(3) Change of behaviour in different manner-must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
(4) Upgradation of one’s mind regarding the state of one’s virtue (sila)–must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
(5) If one’s discerning fellow-monks having tested him showed reproach his regarding the state of -must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
(6) Separation of one by death from all his dear and loving fellows–must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
(7) One as constituted of karma and karma being the inheritance of the matrix. One’s kinsman and refuge, good or bad. One will be to one’s kamma-must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
(8) The ways of spending nights and days–this must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
(9) Taking one’s delight in solitude must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth.
(10) If one had gained super human faculties and higher wisdom and when it was questioned by fellow monks at the last moment of approaching death, then one will have no occasion to be depressed and down cast. This must be reflected upon again and again by one who has gone forth. Moreover, essentially of these monks should be reflected again and again by one who has gone forth. When the Blessed one spoke, the monks rejoiced at his words.
Dasadhamma sutta describes the nature of ten virtues which should be practiced and recollected by Buddhist monks for their moral, behavorial, wordly and spiritual change to upgrade themselves in the rank of super human qualities. In this respective role of death, kamma, solititude higher wisdom are also mentioned which were spoken by the Blessed one (Lord. Buddha) to the monks.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
A.v.87.