Itivuttaka — Assim Foi Dito — 110 — Walking

1This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

2“Mendicants, suppose a mendicant has a sensual, malicious, or cruel thought while walking. They tolerate it and don’t give it up, dispel it, eliminate it, and obliterate it. Such a mendicant is said to be ‘not keen or prudent, always lazy, and lacking energy’ when walking.

3Suppose a mendicant has a sensual, malicious, or cruel thought while standing … sitting … or when lying down while awake. They tolerate it and don’t give it up, dispel it, eliminate it, and obliterate it. Such a mendicant is said to be ‘not keen or prudent, always lazy, and lacking energy’ when lying down while awake.

4Suppose a mendicant has a sensual, malicious, or cruel thought while walking. They don’t tolerate them, but give them up, dispel them, eliminate them, and obliterate them. Such a mendicant is said to be ‘keen and prudent, always energetic and resolute’ when walking.

5Suppose a mendicant has a sensual, malicious, or cruel thought while standing … sitting … or when lying down while awake. They don’t tolerate it, but give it up, dispel it, eliminate it, and obliterate it. Such a mendicant is said to be ‘keen and prudent, always energetic and resolute’ when lying down while awake.”

6The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

7“Whether walking or standing,
sitting or lying down,
one who thinks a bad thought
to do with the domestic life

8is practicing the wrong way,
lost among things that delude;
such a mendicant is incapable
of experiencing the highest awakening.

9But one who, whether standing or walking,
sitting or lying down,
has calmed their thoughts,
loving peace of mind;
such a mendicant is capable
of experiencing the highest awakening.”

10This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.