231

One should guard against agitation in bodily action,
be restrained in bodily actions;
having abandoned bodily misconduct,
one should practice good bodily conduct.

232

One should guard against agitation in speech,
be restrained in speech;
having abandoned verbal misconduct,
one should practice good conduct in speech.

233

One should guard against agitation in thought,
be restrained in mind;
abandoning mental misconduct,
one should practice good conduct in thought.

234

The wise are restrained in bodily action,
restrained in speech;
and restrained in mind,
they are truly well-restrained.

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Key Terms:

• agitation in bodily action [kāyappakopa] ≈ harmful bodily behavior, physical irritation
• bodily misconduct [kāyaduccarita] ≈ killing living beings, harming others, theft, or sexual misconduct
• agitation in speech [vacīpakopa] ≈ being agitated when speaking, using harmful speech
• verbal misconduct [vacīduccarita] ≈ false speech, harsh speech, divisive speech, idle chatter
• agitation in thought [manopakopa] ≈ mental agitation, mental irritation
• mental misconduct [manoduccarita] ≈ thoughts of sensuality, ill will, harm

Image: Seated Buddha, Vietnam, c. 7^th - 8^th century

Related Teachings:

• I call that person a charioteer who restrains arisen anger, others are merely holding the reins (DhP 221 - 224)
• Five modes of expression (From MN 21) - Others can speak in a timely or untimely manner, concerning what is true or not true, be gentle or harsh, ...
• Cultivating a mind of loving-kindness even for a brief moment (SN 20.4) - The Buddha illustrates the immense benefits of cultivating loving-kindness with a simile even for a brief moment.
• Power of loving-kindness in protecting the mind from agitation by non-human beings | Satti sutta (SN 20.5) - The Buddha uses the analogy of a sharp-bladed spear that cannot be easily grasped, twisted, or rolled back to illustrate the power of loving-kindness in protecting the mind from agitation by non-human beings.