The Quiet Strength of Tissa Thera

A Reflection on Detachment, Simplicity, and the Peace of Nibbāna

Among the verses left to us by the Early Buddhist monks, those of Tissa Thera stand out like a calm voice in a world of noise. They speak not of ambition or achievement, but of inner strength, renunciation, and the enduring joy of letting go. His words are brief, but their impact lingers—like still water, deep and clear.

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The Verses

Pāli:
Na ukkaṭṭhāya na pi saṇṭhānāya,
Na pi lābhena na pi yasalābhena;
Aññāya dhammaṁ arahattamajjhagā,
Nibbāyidaṁ santimanuggato muni.

English Translation:
Not for high birth, nor for looks,
Not for gain or fame,
But through knowing the Dhamma, he attained arahantship—
The sage who has reached the peace of nibbāna.

Italian Translation:
Non per nobile nascita, né per l’aspetto,
né per guadagno o fama,
ma conoscendo il Dhamma, egli raggiunse l’arahatship:
il saggio che ha raggiunto la pace del nibbāna.

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Walking Away from Appearances

Tissa Thera was one of many monks who turned their backs on worldly privilege—status, beauty, wealth, fame—to walk the silent path of renunciation. But unlike many who leave one identity only to form another, Tissa’s verse shows a mind that did not seek to replace worldly gain with spiritual vanity. His transformation did not rest on titles or special charisma. He reached awakening not because he was someone, but because he truly saw.

There’s a quiet rebellion in his words:

“Not for high birth, nor for looks. Not for gain or fame.”
These lines cut through the illusions that still dominate our world today.