The Story of a Group of Six Bhikkhus

While residing at the Veluvana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (231) to (234) of this book, with reference to a group of six bhikkhus.

Six bhikkhus wearing wooden sandals, and each holding a staff with both hands, were walking to and fro on a big stone slab, making much noise. The Buddha hearing the noises asked Thera Ananda what was going on, and Thera Ananda told him about the six bhikkhus. The Buddha then prohibited the bhikkhus from wearing wooden sandals. He further exhorted the bhikkhus to restrain themselves both in words and deeds.

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 231: Guard against evil deeds, control your body. Giving up evil deeds, cultivate good deeds.

Verse 232: Guard against evil speech, control your speech. Giving up evil speech, cultivate good speech.

Verse 233: Guard against evil thoughts, control your mind. Giving up evil thoughts, cultivate good thoughts.

Verse 234: The wise are controlled in deed, they are controlled in speech, they are controlled in thought. Indeed, they are perfectly self-controlled.