A young bamboo is hard to extract when the point is grown and become all woody. That’s how I feel with the wife <j>who was arranged for me. Give me permission—now I’ve gone forth.

Verses of the Senior Monks 1.73 The Book of the Ones Chapter Eight Māṇava

Seeing an old person, and one suffering from disease, and a corpse come to the end of life, I went forth, becoming a wanderer, and giving up the pleasures of the senses.

Verses of the Senior Monks 1.74 The Book of the Ones Chapter Eight Suyāmana

Sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness, and doubt are not found in a monk at all.

Verses of the Senior Monks 1.75 The Book of the Ones Chapter Eight Susārada

Good is the sight of those who’ve practiced well: doubt is cut off and intelligence grows—even a fool grows wise! That’s why it’s good to meet good people.

Verses of the Senior Monks 1.76 The Book of the Ones Chapter Eight Piyañjaha

Settle down when others spring up; spring up when others settle down. Remain when others have departed; don’t delight when others delight.

Verses of the Senior Monks 1.77 The Book of the Ones Chapter Eight Hatthārohaputta

In the past my mind wandered how it wished, where it liked, as it pleased. Now I’ll carefully guide it, as a trainer with a hook guides a rutting elephant.

Verses of the Senior Monks 1.78 The Book of the Ones Chapter Eight Meṇḍasira