Walk'n the Talk

A certain Bhikkhu came to pay a call, and,
after paying respect with closed palms,
he sat on a low seat to one side at a respectful distance and asked:

"'Walk'n the Talk' is the expression.
To what extent, Bhaggava does one walk the talk in this Dhamma?"

"In the case of the first case
we have the case of the Beggar
who has an all-round understanding of Dhamma.
He spends his day in the mastering of Dhamma.
But he neglects putting down interaction
and does not devote himself to mental tranquillity within.
This beggar, beggar, is said to be
big on all-round understanding,
but does not live the Dhamma.

In the case of the second case
we have the case of the Beggar
who teaches Dhamma to others as he has heard and understood it.
He spends his time instructing and inciting others.
But he neglects putting down interaction
and does not devote himself to mental tranquillity within.
This beggar, beggar, is said to be
big on wisdom,
but does not live the Dhamma.

In the case of the third case
we have the case of the Beggar
who is a repeater.
He memorizes Dhamma and repeats it to others as he has heard it
and so spends his day.
But he neglects putting down interaction
and does not devote himself to mental tranquillity within.
This beggar, beggar, is said to be
big on memory,
but does not live the Dhamma.

In the case of the fourth case
we have the case of the Beggar
who is a thinker.
He thinks about Dhamma as he has heard it and understood it.
He spends his day thinking about Dhamma.
But he neglects putting down interaction
and does not devote himself to mental tranquillity within.
This beggar, beggar, is said to be
big on thinking,
but does not live the Dhamma.

In the case of the fifth case
we have the case of the Beggar
who has an all-round understanding of Dhamma,
but he does not spend his day in the mastery of Dhamma,
he does not neglect putting down interaction
and does devote himself to mental tranquillity within.
This beggar, beggar, is said to be
Walk'n the Talk.

So, Beggar,
I have given you one who is big on understanding,
one who is big on wisdom,
one who is big on memory,
one who is big on thinking,
and one who walks the talk.

Beggar! What a teacher should do for his student,
looking after their well-being,
seeking their good,
out of sympathy,
such is such as I have done for you.
There are the roots of trees,
places of solitude.
Do not be negligent,
do not give yourself cause for self-recrimination later.
This is our instruction to you.