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Itivuttaka

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  • 100 – 112 The Group Of Fours
    • § 101.
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§ 101.

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard: "These four things are next to nothing, both easy to gain & blameless. Which four? Cast-off cloth is next to nothing, both easy to gain & blameless. Alms food is next to nothing, both easy to gain & blameless. The root of a tree as a dwelling place is next to nothing, both easy to gain & blameless. Medicine made of smelly urine* is next to nothing, both easy to gain & blameless. These are the four things that are next to nothing, both easy to gain & blameless. When a monk is content with what is next to nothing, easy to gain & blameless, then I say that he has one of the component factors of the contemplative life."

Content with what's blameless,
    next-to-nothing,
    easy to gain,
his mind not vexed
over    lodging, clothing,
    food, or drink:
the four directions offer him
no        obstruction.
These things are declared
congenial for the contemplative life,
    possessed by the monk
    heedful, content.




* This is one of a monk's basic requisites. There is some disagreement as to whether it refers to medicine pickled in urine, or to the use of urine as a medicine (as is still practiced in parts of Asia today).




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