修行者の品格
Dignity of a Practitioner
2026-02-08
Empirically speaking, truly accomplished practitioners are recognized by the nobility of their character, and I have never seen a person lacking this quality come close to awakening (= liberation).
Of course, it is not that only refined and well-educated people attain awakening. However, practitioners who retain coarseness or immaturity tend to have difficulty in their use of language. Considering that the Buddhist path is one that is walked with language as a supporting condition, it can be said that such a person carries a fundamental obstacle.
On the other hand, a worthy practitioner with a proper attitude gives off an inexpressible fragrance of dignity, regardless of social status or outward appearance.
In connection with this, the early Buddhist scriptures of Shakyamuni Buddha present the following principle:
393 One is not a brahmin because of matted hair, nor because of lineage, nor because of birth. One who upholds truth and the Dharma is at peace — that one is the (true) brahmin.
394 Fool, what is the use of matted hair? What is the use of wearing a deerskin garment? You harbor a jungle (=defilement) within, while merely adorning the outside.
395 One who wears robes made from discarded rags, who is lean, with veins standing out, and who meditates alone in the forest — that person I call a <Brahmin>. (The Words of Truth: Dhammapada, Chapter 26: The Brahmin, translated by Hajime Nakamura, Iwanami-Bunko)
2 When wisdom arises in a fool, it finally turns against him. It destroys the fool’s good fortune and will crush his head.
3 Unwholesome people wish to gain profit; among monks they seek respect; in the monks’ quarters they foster a possessive, stingy spirit; when they go to others’ homes, they seek offerings.
4 “Let both householders and renunciant practitioners always take notice of me. In all matters of what should be done and what should not be done, let them follow my will …”
5 Thus the fool thinks. In this way craving and arrogance grow stronger. He does not realize that the means of seeking gain is different from the path that leads to Nirvana. (Udānavarga – The Sayings of Inspiration, Chapter 13: Respect, translated by Hajime Nakamura, Iwanami-Bunko)
54 The fragrance of flowers does not travel against the wind — not that of sandalwood, tagara, or jasmine. But the fragrance of the virtuous travels even against the wind. A virtuous person spreads their fragrance in every direction.
55 Sandalwood, tagara, the blue lotus, and vassikī — among all such fragrant things, the fragrance of virtuous is the highest.
56 The scent of tagara and sandalwood is faint and of little account, but the fragrance of the virtuous is supreme and reaches even the heavenly gods.
57 Those who have fulfilled virtue, who live diligently, and who are liberated through right wisdom — the Evil One cannot approach them. (The Words of Truth, Dhammapada, Chapter 4: Flowers, translated by Hajime Nakamura, Iwanami-Bunko)
However, of course, a practitioner is not to be considered admirable merely because they wear a stern face and strive in their practice.
It is the practitioner who disciplines the mind and strives earnestly toward inner stillness who gradually accumulates merit, deepens their virtue, gives rise to the necessary conditions, and at last attains awakening (= liberation).
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