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Ten Things a Renunciant Should Often Reflect On
Practice

Ten Things a Renunciant Should Often Reflect On

Dasayime bhikkhave dhammā pabbajitena abhiṇhaṃ paccavekkhitabbā

Ten things one who has gone forth should reflect on often: that I am no longer like a householder, that my life depends on others, whether my conduct is blameworthy, what I am doing as the days and nights pass, and whether I have attained something I won't be embarrassed about when asked later.

10 points

In this discourse of the Aṅguttara Nikāya, Book of the Tens, the Buddha says there are ten things one who has gone forth should reflect on often. They are short questions and reminders covering one's status, livelihood, deportment, virtue, separation, kamma, use of time, delight in solitude, and the fruit of practice.

Points six and seven match the subjects for frequent reflection taught to people in general elsewhere, but the other eight belong specifically to those who have gone forth.

The discourse is addressed to monastics, but many points can be applied to lay life by changing the question from "how should a renunciant be?" to "how should someone who means to live by principles be?"

  1. 1

    I am no longer like a householder Vevaṇṇiyamhi ajjhūpagato

    One who has gone forth should often reflect that they have entered a state different from that of a householder.

    Applying it in daily life

    When you take on a new role — parent, manager or teacher — remember that it calls for a manner different from before.

  2. 2

    My livelihood depends on others Parapaṭibaddhā me jīvikā

    One who has gone forth should often reflect that their life is bound up with the others who supply their requisites.

    Applying it in daily life

    Think of the people who make your income and your living possible, and work in a way that honours their trust.

  3. 3

    I should behave differently Añño me ākappo karaṇīyo

    One who has gone forth should often reflect that there is a different deportment they should adopt, not the old ways they were used to.

    Applying it in daily life

    At work or in a role people look up to, review whether your manner, tone and dress suit the duty.

  4. 4

    Can I fault myself on grounds of virtue? Kacci nu kho me attā sīlato

    One who has gone forth should often ask: looking at my own conduct, is there anything I myself could fault?

    Applying it in daily life

    Ask yourself in the evening whether you did anything today that still doesn't sit well when you look back on it.

  5. 5

    Would the wise, after examining, fault me? Anuvicca viññū sabrahmacārī sīlato

    One who has gone forth should often ask: would sensible companions in the spiritual life, after examining me, fault me on grounds of virtue?

    Applying it in daily life

    The question isn't whether someone will gossip about you, but whether a reasonable person who knows all the facts would find that you acted rightly.

  6. 6

    I will be parted from all that I love Sabbehi me piyehi manāpehi nānābhāvo vinābhāvo

    One who has gone forth should often reflect that they will be separated and parted from everything dear and pleasing.

    Applying it in daily life

    Apply it to the people you love today: speak kindly while you are still together, rather than waiting until the chance is gone.

  7. 7

    I am the owner of my deeds Kammassakomhi kammadāyādo

    One who has gone forth should often reflect: I am the owner of my deeds and heir to my deeds, born of my deeds, related to my deeds, with my deeds as my refuge. Whatever I do, good or bad, I will receive its result.

    Applying it in daily life

    When urged to do something wrong because "everyone does it", remember that the results fall on you, not on whoever urged you.

  8. 8

    As the days and nights pass, what am I becoming? Kathambhūtassa me rattindivā

    One who has gone forth should often ask: the days and nights pass by — what am I doing now? The Pali literally asks: what kind of person am I as my days and nights pass?

    Applying it in daily life

    Make it a question to review before sleep: what did I spend today on, and is it taking me where I want to go?

  9. 9

    Do I delight in solitude? Kacci nu khohaṃ suññāgāre

    One who has gone forth should often ask: do I delight in an empty dwelling, in seclusion?

    Applying it in daily life

    Try sitting quietly without a screen for fifteen minutes and see whether it feels comfortable or unbearable.

  10. 10

    Have I attained something I won't be embarrassed about? Alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato

    One who has gone forth should often ask: have I attained a superhuman state, a distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones, so that I won't be embarrassed when my companions in the spiritual life ask me later?

    Applying it in daily life

    Ask yourself: if someone asked next year how you had grown inwardly, would you have a truthful answer?

Try it in daily life

The strength of this discourse is that it consists of questions to ask yourself, not rules for checking others. Each point invites you to pause now and then and see where you stand in life.

For working people, "my livelihood depends on others" applies directly. Your salary comes from customers, taxpayers or people who trust you, and recalling this helps you work responsibly. "The days and nights pass — what am I doing now?" makes a good question to review at the end of each day.

The last point, about superhuman attainment, belongs directly to those practising for liberation. Lay people might read it broadly: if someone asked how you had grown inwardly over the past few years, could you answer without embarrassment?

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