[Verse 1]
Greed can burn within the heart,
Anger leaves a world of pain,
Delusion hides the path from sight,
Wisdom brings the truth to light.
See the body without clinging,
Let loving-kindness calm the flame,
Let wisdom clear the clouds of darkness,
Guide the heart beyond the blame.
[Verse 2]
Let the body do no harm,
Let our words be kind and true,
Let the mind be pure and gentle,
Let good conduct guide us through.
Thoughts of craving, leave the heart,
Thoughts of hatred, fade away,
Thoughts of harming have no place,
Renunciation lights the way.
[Chorus]
Let the darkness fall away,
Choose the light from day to day,
From restless thoughts to peaceful minds,
From confusion, wisdom shines.
Guard the heart and do not stray,
Mindful in the words we say,
When the heart is calm and clear,
Peace begins to blossom here.
[Verse 3]
Do not cling to what is lasting,
Do not build a self from dreams,
See impermanence clearly,
See things deeper than they seem.
Rejoice when others find their goodness,
Let compassion lead the way,
Walk with harmlessness and justice,
Let the Dhamma shape each day.
[Verse 4]
Contentment brings a quiet freedom,
Clear awareness keeps us wise,
With fewer wants and simple living,
We can see beyond desire.
Choose good friends upon the journey,
Watch the breath and calm the mind,
Practice stillness, guard the senses,
Leave negligence behind.
[Chorus]
Let the darkness fall away,
Choose the light from day to day,
From restless thoughts to peaceful minds,
From confusion, wisdom shines.
Guard the heart and do not stray,
Mindful in the words we say,
When the heart is calm and clear,
Peace begins to blossom here.
[Bridge]
Body, speech, and mind made pure,
Mindfulness becomes the door,
Every moment is a chance
To awaken, heal, and grow.
[Final Chorus]
Let the darkness fall away,
Walk the path of peace each day,
Leave behind the roots of pain,
Let the light of wisdom reign.
Calm and mindful, strong and free,
Compassion grows in you and me,
From defilement to the light,
Dhamma leads the heart to peace tonight.
The Tika Vagga: A Buddhist Path from Defilement to Clarity and Peace
The Tika Vagga of the Aṅguttara Nikāya presents ten teachings built around a practical principle: identify what should be abandoned and cultivate what counteracts it. The teachings address greed, misconduct, harmful thoughts, distorted perception, wrong views, discontent, lack of contentment, bad companionship, mental restlessness, and negligence.
The Tika Vagga, found in the section of the Aṅguttara Nikāya that is not included within the regular fifty-discourse divisions, contains ten suttas: the Rāga Sutta, Duccarita Sutta, Vitakka Sutta, Saññā Sutta, Dhātu Sutta, Assāda Sutta, Arati Sutta, Tuṭṭhi Sutta, Uddhacca Sutta I, and Uddhacca Sutta II. Their common structure is remarkably practical: harmful qualities are identified, and corresponding wholesome qualities are cultivated to overcome them.
The Rāga Sutta begins with three fundamental defilements: greed, hate, and delusion. The remedies are the contemplation of unattractiveness to overcome greed, loving-kindness to overcome hate, and wisdom to overcome delusion. The teaching therefore emphasizes transformation rather than mere suppression: the mind is trained by cultivating a wholesome quality capable of counteracting an unwholesome one.
The Duccarita Sutta applies this principle to conduct, identifying three forms of misconduct: bodily, verbal, and mental misconduct. Their corresponding remedies are bodily, verbal, and mental good conduct. The teaching highlights the unity of ethical life: what we do, say, and think all become part of the training of the person.
The Vitakka Sutta turns to the inner world of thought. It identifies sensual thoughts, thoughts of ill will, and thoughts of harming others as states to be abandoned. In their place, one cultivates thoughts of renunciation, non-ill will, and non-harming.
The Saññā Sutta applies the same pattern to perception or recognition. Sensual perception, perceptions of ill will, and perceptions of harming are to be replaced by perceptions of renunciation, non-ill will, and non-harming. This shows that ethical transformation also involves changing the way the mind interprets experience.
The Dhātu Sutta speaks in terms of three “elements” or dispositions: sensuality, ill will, and harming. These are countered by renunciation, non-ill will, and non-harming. The teaching presents mental cultivation as a systematic process of shifting the dominant tendencies of the mind.
The Assāda Sutta addresses distorted views concerning permanence, self, and reality. It recommends contemplating impermanence, non-self, and developing right view. The emphasis is therefore not merely on changing behavior but on correcting the underlying way in which reality is understood.
The Arati Sutta identifies discontent, cruelty, and unrighteous conduct as qualities to be abandoned. Their remedies are appreciative joy, non-harming, and righteous conduct. This creates an ethical movement from dissatisfaction and hostility toward joy in goodness, harmlessness, and integrity.
The Tuṭṭhi Sutta warns against lack of contentment, lack of clear comprehension, and excessive desire. It recommends contentment, clear comprehension, and having few wants. These principles encourage a life that is less controlled by endless acquisition and uncontrolled desire.
The First Uddhacca Sutta identifies three obstacles: being difficult to admonish, having bad companions, and mental restlessness. The remedies are being easy to admonish, cultivating good spiritual friendship, and practicing mindfulness of breathing.
Finally, the Second Uddhacca Sutta identifies restlessness, lack of restraint, and negligence. These are countered by calmness, restraint, and diligence. The final teaching therefore brings the entire section toward a disciplined mind: calm, guarded, and heedful.
The Central Message
Taken together, the ten discourses present a coherent method of Buddhist training:
Recognize the problem — abandon what is harmful — cultivate what is wholesome.
This principle can be applied far beyond a strictly religious setting. It can guide emotional regulation, speech, relationships, consumption, decision-making, attention, and the responsible use of information.
In a modern world filled with rapid communication, social-media reactions, ideological conflict, and constant stimulation, the principles of restraint, mindfulness, calmness, good friendship, and wisdom offer a practical framework: pause before responding, think before acting, and understand before believing.
The Tika Vagga ultimately suggests that sustainable transformation begins within the mind. When thought becomes wholesome, speech and action can follow. When the mind becomes calm, restrained, and heedful, it becomes a foundation for wisdom, ethical conduct, and peace.
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