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Dhammapada - The Chapter on the Monk (Samanas), Chapter 7
The 29th gatha reminds us that the kasaya—the Dharma robe of a monastic—symbolizes the responsibility of practice; if one wears the kasaya without ending unwholesome actions, and continues to act unwholesomely, one will fall into unfortunate realms. The 30th gatha teaches about the difficulty of restraint—being unable to master body, breath, and mind—so when sitting in meditation, we need to:
- regulate the body so it is upright and relaxed
- regulate the breath so it is gentle and calm
- regulate the mind to master mental formations such as anger and sadness
“Samana” means to make the mind stop, to become calm; arrogance or inferiority—pride or self-deprecation—lead to not keeping the precepts. A true practitioner is not just someone who shaves their head and wears the robe, but someone who lets go of craving, fame, and personal gain, practices the path of meditation, and directs the mind toward the Noble Eightfold Path.
A genuine monastic is someone who has tamed body and mind, has deep faith in the path of liberation, and recognizes themselves as a cell in the Sangha body, continuing their ancestors through interbeing. The fruit of “arrived, at home” corresponds to stream-entry—dwelling solidly in the present moment; dependent co-arising and the unborn nature are insights that transcend birth and death. In the life of the Sangha, every activity—from cooking, driving to welcome guests, writing letters for Plum Village—is a means to practice compassion and mindfulness, helping each individual and their ancestors and lineage to receive peace and happiness. A harmonious community, sharing difficulties in a timely way through democratic neighborhood meetings, shining light on one another and transmitting the lamp of practice, is the true treasure of the Buddhist path.