Dhamma Topics and their Analysis

Meditation Topics

13. Dasa Dhammā
13. The Ten Thoughts

from Dasadhammasuttaṁ, AN 10:48

Dasa ime bhikkhave dhammā
There are these ten thoughts, monastics,

pabbajitena abhiṇhaṁ paccavekkhitabbā.
that one who has gone forth should frequently reflect on.

Katame dasa?
What are the ten?

1. Vevaṇṇiyamhi ajjhupagato ti
1. I have become one who has no (distinctive) appearance

– pabbajitena abhiṇhaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ,
– one who has gone forth should frequently reflect on this,

2. parapaṭibaddhā me jīvikā ti
2. I am bound to others for my livelihood

– pabbajitena abhiṇhaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ,
– one who has gone forth should frequently reflect on this,

3. añño me ākappo karaṇīyo ti
3. I should comport myself differently

– pabbajitena abhiṇhaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ,
– one who has gone forth should frequently reflect on this,

4. kacci nu kho me attā sīlato na upavadatī? ti
4. can I myself find no fault with my virtue?

– pabbajitena abhiṇhaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ,
– one who has gone forth should frequently reflect on this,

5. kacci nu kho maṁ anuvicca viññū sabrahmacārī,
5. will my wise companions in the spiritual life, after testing me,

sīlato na upavadantī? ti
find no fault with my virtue?

– pabbajitena abhiṇhaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ,
– one who has gone forth should frequently reflect on this,

6. sabbehi me piyehi manāpehi nānābhāvo vinābhāvo ti
6. there is alteration in, and separation from, all that is dear and appealing to me

– pabbajitena abhiṇhaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ,
– one who has gone forth should frequently reflect on this,

7. kammassakomhi, kammadāyādo, kammayoni,
7. it is deeds that I own, it is deeds that I am heir to, it is deeds that I am born from,

kammabandhu, kammapaṭisaraṇo –
deeds are my kinsfolk, deeds are my refuge –

yaṁ kammaṁ karissāmi, kalyāṇaṁ vā pāpakaṁ vā,
whatever deeds I perform, whether good or bad,

tassa dāyādo bhavissāmī ti
to that I will be the heir

– pabbajitena abhiṇhaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ,
– one who has gone forth should frequently reflect on this,

8. kathaṁ bhūtassa me rattiṁdivā vītipatantī? ti
8. in what way do the nights and days pass for me?

– pabbajitena abhiṇhaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ,
– one who has gone forth should frequently reflect on this,

9. kacci nu khohaṁ suññāgāre abhiramāmī? ti
9. do I delight in empty places?

– pabbajitena abhiṇhaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ,
– one who has gone forth should frequently reflect on this,

10. atthi nu kho me uttarimanussadhammā –
10. has a state beyond (ordinary) human beings –

alam-ariyañāṇadassanaviseso – adhigato?
the distinction of what is truly noble knowledge and insight – been attained by me?

Soham pacchime kāle sabrahmacārīhi puṭṭho,
Will I at the end, when questioned by my companions in the spiritual life,

na maṅku bhavissāmī? ti
not be embarrassed?

– pabbajitena abhiṇhaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ.
– one who has gone forth should frequently reflect on this.

Ime kho bhikkhave dasadhammā,
These are the ten thoughts, monastics,

pabbajitena abhiṇhaṁ paccavekkhitabbā ti.
that one who has gone forth should frequently reflect on.

last updated: December 2016