As part of the Sutta Nipata, the Kimsila Sutta is one of many ancient Buddhist texts.

Many of these are sometimes hard to approach. This comic is an attempt to render it in graphical form. The purpose of these illustrations is to make the suttas a little more accessible, hoping that it will inspire more people to ponder upon them.

Adapted from Sn 2.9 Kimsila Sutta

With what kind of

behaviour would a person

become correctly established

in the teachings?

Learning and understanding

are essential to the practice.

But a person who is hasty and heedless

does not learn well.

Have respect for

the words of those

you know to be wise.

Understanding

is the purpose of

wise words…

and the heart

becomes collected

when it knows

how to discern.

Established in

calm, composure

and concentration,

it knows what

understanding has

as a purpose…

…letting go.

Love elephant and want to go steady?

Author: Jonathan Dupré

Editor: Renée Picard

Image: original artwork by author