5: The Book of the Fives
218. Not Inspiring Confidence (2)
- DG BB TBW © Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi (More copyright information)
1"Bhikkhus, there are these five dangers in conduct that does not inspire confidence. What five? Those without confidence do not gain confidence; some of those with confidence change their minds; the teaching of the Teacher is not carried out; those in the next generation follow one's example; and one's own mind does not become placid. [n.1222] The exact meaning of pasīdati cannot easily be captured by a single English word. "To be confident" normally suggests to be poised and self-confident, which is not what is meant. SED gives as meanings of Skt pra-sad, pra-sīdati, "to settle down, grow clear and bright, become placid or tranquil; … to become satisfied or pleased or glad." SED renders the causative pra-sādayati: "to make clear, purify; to make serene, gladden (the heart); to render calm, sooth, appease." Of these meanings, "to gladden, to please" partly captures the impact that pāsādika conduct has on others; becoming "gladdened" or "pleased" is how an observer might favorably respond to such conduct. But such conduct also awakens in others trust in oneself as a spiritually refined person and inspires confidence in the teaching one follows. Thus such conduct "inspires confidence" in others. When one's behavior or attitudes act reflexively upon oneself, one "becomes serene (or placid)," which is the best way to render the sense of the verb pasīdati. These are the five dangers in conduct that does not inspire confidence.
2"Bhikkhus, there are these five benefits in conduct that inspires confidence. What five? Those without confidence gain confidence; those with confidence increase in their confidence; the teaching of the Teacher is carried out; those in the next generation follow one's example; and one's own mind becomes placid. These are the five benefits in conduct that inspires confidence."
1"Pañcime, bhikkhave, ādīnavā apāsādike. Katame pañca? Appasannā nappasīdanti, pasannānañca ekaccānaṁ aññathattaṁ hoti, satthusāsanaṁ akataṁ hoti, pacchimā janatā diṭṭhānugatiṁ āpajjati, cittamassa nappasīdati. Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca ādīnavā apāsādike.
2Pañcime, bhikkhave, ānisaṁsā pāsādike. Katame pañca? Appasannā pasīdanti, pasannānañca bhiyyobhāvo hoti, satthusāsanaṁ kataṁ hoti, pacchimā janatā diṭṭhānugatiṁ āpajjati, cittamassa pasīdati. Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca ānisaṁsā pāsādike"ti.
Aṭṭhamaṁ.
