ETHICS · DHAMMAPADA 267

Integrity in Action

He who is above good and evil, who is chaste, who with knowledge passes through the world, he indeed is called a Bhikshu.

Dhammapada 267 · Chapter 19, The Just · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “He who is above good and evil, who is chaste, who with knowledge passes through the….” In its chapter, this image points toward justice as conduct rather than status. Read goodness here as a trainable direction—choices that reduce harm and leave less residue of regret. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.

Practice prompt

Before speaking, ask whether your words are true and useful.