Theragāthā 173

Verses of the Senior Monks 3.4

The Book of the Threes

Chapter One

Dhaniya

1 If you wish to live in happiness,

longing for the ascetic life,

don’t look down on the Saṅgha’s robes,

or its food and drinks.

2 If you wish to live in happiness,

longing for the ascetic life,

stay in the Saṅgha’s lodgings

like a snake making use of a mouse’s hole.

3 If you wish to live in happiness,

longing for the ascetic life,

develop this one quality:

be content with whatever is offered.