Friends: Contentment (Santutthi) is the most supreme Treasure! There is the case where a Bhikkhu is content with whatever old robe at all, with whatever old almsfood at all , with whatever old hut at all, and with whatever old medicine for curing sickness at all. This Dhamma is for one who is content, not for one who is discontent! Thus was it said. And with reference to exactly this salient contentment with little was this said... AN VIII 30 And how is a Bhikkhu content? Just as a bird, wherever it goes, flies with its wings as its only burden, even so is he content with a set of robes to protect his body & almsfood to pacify his hunger. Wherever he goes, he takes only simple necessities as robes, belt, bowl and razor along. This is how a Bhikkhu is content... DN 2 There is the case where a Bhikkhu is content with whatever old robe at all, with whatever old almsfood at all , with whatever old hut at all. He speaks in praise of being content with any old requisite at all. He does not, for the sake of any requisite, do anything unsuitable or inappropriate. When not getting any requisites, he is not troubled. When getting requisites, he uses it unattached to it, not obsessed, blameless, seeing the drawbacks & dangers, he realizes the escape from them. He does not, on account of his contentment with any old requisite at all, exalt himself or disparage others. Thus is he clever, energetic, alert, and aware! This, Bhikkhus, is called a Bhikkhu standing quite firm in the ancient, original lineage of the Noble Ones... AN IV 28 Good are friends, when need arises, good is contentment with just what one has, good is merit, when life is at an end, good is the elimination of all Suffering! Dhammapada 331
Solitude is happiness for one who is content, who has heard the Dhamma & clearly sees. Harmlessness is happiness in all worlds, harmlessness towards all living beings. Udana 10
Therefore be capable, upright, & straight, easy to instruct, gentle, & not proud, content & easy to support with little, with few duties, living simple & light, with peaceful abilities, mastering all, modest, & with no greed for support. Do not do even a minor thing that the wise & noble would criticize. Sutta Nipāta I, 8

Updated: 10 Mar 2010 http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Contentment.htm |
|