10 reflections for a monk or nun
Ten reflections for a monk or nun:
1. I have become casteless.
2. My life is dependent on others
3. My behavior should be different [from that of householders]
4. Can I fault myself with regard to my virtue?
5. Can my knowledgeable fellows in the holy life, on close examination, fault me with regard to my virtue?
6. I will grow different, separate from all that is dear and appealing to me
7. I am the owner of my actions (kamma), heir to my actions, born of my actions, related through my actions, and have my actions as my arbitrator. Whatever I do, for good or for evil, to that will I fall heir.
8. What am I becoming as the days and nights fly past?
9. Do I delight in an empty dwelling?
10. Have I attained a superior human attainment, a truly noble distinction of knowledge and vision, such that, when my fellows in the holy life question me in the last days of my life, I won't feel abashed?: a person gone forth should often reflect on this.
(from Anguttara Nikaya 10.48)
References
- The Complete Book of Buddha's Lists -- Explained. David N. Snyder, Ph.D., 2006.
- http://www.thedhamma.com/