A man is not a mendicant (Bhikshu) simply because he asks others for
alms; he who adopts the whole law is a Bhikshu, not he who only begs.
He who is above good and evil, who is chaste, who with care passes
through the world, he indeed is called a Bhikshu.
A man is not a Muni because he observes silence if he is foolish and
ignorant; but the wise who, as with the balance, chooses the good and
avoids evil, he is a Muni, and is a Muni thereby; he who in this world
weighs both sides is called a Muni.
A man is not an elect (Ariya) because he injures living creatures;
because he has pity on all living creatures, therefore is a man called
Ariya.
Not only by discipline and vows, not only by much learning, not by
entering into a trance, not by sleeping alone, do I earn the happiness
of release which no worldling can know. O Bhikshu, he who has obtained
the extinction of desires has obtained confidence.
CHAPTER XX
THE WAY
The best of ways is the eightfold; the best of truths the four words;
the best of virtues passionlessness; the best of men he who has eyes to
see.
This is the way, there is no other that leads to the purifying of
intelligence. Go on this path! This is the confusion of Mara, the
tempter.
If you go on this way, you will make an end of pain! The way preached by
me, when I had understood the removal of the thorns in the flesh.
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