AN 4.28: Ariyavaṁsa Sutta – Noble Traditions
Translated by Bhante Suddhāso
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“Monks, there are four noble traditions which are historic, long-standing, traditional, ancient, not contaminated and never have been contaminated, not becoming contaminated and never will be contaminated, and are not criticized by wise contemplatives and priests. What four?
“Here, monks, a monk is content with any robe whatsoever. They speak in praise of being content with any robe whatsoever. They do not seek for a robe in an inappropriate way. If they do not obtain a robe, they are not disturbed. If they do obtain a robe, they use it without being attached, obsessed, or captivated; they see the drawbacks and know the escape. However, they do not use their contentment with any robe whatsoever as a reason to exalt themselves or disdain others. Monks, one who is skillful, diligent, aware, and mindful in this way is called ‘a monk who is established in an ancient, historic, noble tradition.’
“Another one, monks, is that a monk is content with any almsfood whatsoever. They speak in praise of being content with any almsfood whatsoever. They do not seek for almsfood in an inappropriate way. If they do not obtain almsfood, they are not disturbed. If they do obtain almsfood, they use it without being attached, obsessed, or captivated; they see the drawbacks and know the escape. However, they do not use their contentment with any almsfood whatsoever as a reason to exalt themselves or disdain others. Monks, one who is skillful, diligent, aware, and mindful in this way is called ‘a monk who is established in an ancient, historic, noble tradition.’
“Another one, monks, is that a monk is content with any dwelling whatsoever. They speak in praise of being content with any dwelling whatsoever. They do not seek for a dwelling in an inappropriate way. If they do not obtain a dwelling, they are not disturbed. If they do obtain a dwelling, they use it without being attached, obsessed, or captivated; they see the drawbacks and know the escape. However, they do not use their contentment with any dwelling whatsoever as a reason to exalt themselves or disdain others. Monks, one who is skillful, diligent, aware, and mindful in this way is called ‘a monk who is established in an ancient, historic, noble tradition.’
“Another one, monks, is that a monk is fond of developing and fond of letting go. However, they do not use their fondness of developing and fondness of letting go as a reason to exalt themselves or disdain others. Monks, one who is skillful, diligent, aware, and mindful in this way is called ‘a monk who is established in an ancient, historic, noble tradition.’
“Monks, these four noble traditions are historic, long-standing, traditional, ancient, not contaminated and never have been contaminated, not becoming contaminated and never will be contaminated, and are not criticized by wise contemplatives and priests.
“Monks, if a monk endowed with these four noble traditions lives in the east, then they will overcome disliking and will not be overcome by disliking. If they live in the west, then they will overcome disliking and will not be overcome by disliking. If they live in the north, then they will overcome disliking and will not be overcome by disliking. If they live in the south, then they will overcome disliking and will not be overcome by disliking. For what reason? Monks, one who is steadfast overcomes both disliking and liking.”
“One who is steadfast is not overcome by disliking;
Disliking does not overcome one who is steadfast.
It is the steadfast one who overcomes disliking,
For one who is steadfast is one who overcomes disliking.
“Who can obstruct one who has rejected and left behind all karma?
Who can criticize one who is as worthy as a golden ornament?
Even the angels praise them; they are even praised by Brahma.”