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← Aṅguttara Nikāya

Ten Regular Reflections for a Renunciate

AN 10.48 · Pabbajitaabhiṇhasutta

Terraces of ripening grain curve across a quiet green valley.

“Mendicants, one who has gone forth should often review these ten things. What ten?

One who has gone forth should often review this: ‘I have secured freedom from class.’

‘My livelihood is tied up with others.’

‘My behavior should be different.’

‘I hope there’s no reason to blame myself when it comes to ethical conduct?’

‘I hope that, after examination, sensible spiritual companions don’t reproach any aspect of my ethics?’

‘I must be parted and separated from all I hold dear and beloved.’

‘I am the owner of my deeds and heir to my deeds. Deeds are my womb, my relative, and my refuge.

I shall be the heir of whatever deeds I do, whether good or bad.’

‘As the days and nights pass by, what sort of person am I becoming?’

‘Do I love to stay in empty huts?’

‘Do I have any superhuman distinctions in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones, so that when my spiritual companions question me on my deathbed I will not be embarrassed?’

One who has gone forth should often review these ten things.”

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About this edition

Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.