mn.17 Majjhima Nikāya (Middle Discourses)

Thus have I heard:

At one time the Lord was staying near Savatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Therethe Lord addressed the monks, saying:

“Monks.”

“Revered One,” these monks answered the Lord in assent. The Lord spoke thus:

“Monks, I will teach you the disquisition on the forest grove. Listen to it, pay careful attention to it, and I will speak.” “Yes, Lord,” the monks answered the Lord in assent.

“In this connection, monks, a monk is staying in a certain forest grove. While lie is staying in that forest grove mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying in this forest grove. While I am staying in this forest grove mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty.’ Monks, that monk, whether it be by night or day, should depart from that forest grove, he should not remain.

But in this connection, monks, a monk is staying in a certain forest grove. While he is staying in that forest grove, mindfulness that had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying in this forest grove. While I am staying in this forest grove, mindfulness that had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. But I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of robe-material. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of almsfood. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of lodgings. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of medicines for the sick. But while I am staying in this forest grove mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained.’ Monks, just on this count, that monk should depart from that forest grove, he should not remain.

In this connection, monks, a monk is staying in a certain forest grove. While he is staying in that forest grove mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying in this forest grove. While I am staying in this forest grove mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. But I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of robe-material. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of almsfood. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of lodgings. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of medicines for the sick. But while I am staying in this forest grove mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained.’ Monks, just on this count, that monk should remain in that forest grove, he should not depart.

But in this connection, monks, a monk is staying in a certain forest grove. While he is staying in that forest grove mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. Monks, that monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying in this forest grove. While I am staying in this forest grove, mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.’ Monks, that monk should remain in that forest grove even as long as life lasts, he should not depart.

“In this connection, monks, a monk is staying near a village. While lie is staying near that village, mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this village. While I am staying near this village mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty.’ Monks, that monk, whether it be by night or day, should depart from that village, he should not remain.

But in this connection, monks, a monk is staying in near a village. While he is staying near this village, mindfulness that had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this village. While I am staying near this village, mindfulness that had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. But I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of robe-material. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of almsfood. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of lodgings. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of medicines for the sick. But while I am staying near this village, mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained.’ Monks, just on this count, that monk should depart from that village, he should not remain.

In this connection, monks, a monk is staying near a village. While he is staying near this village mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this village. While I am staying near this village mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. But I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of robe-material. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of almsfood. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of lodgings. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of medicines for the sick. But while I am staying near this village mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained.’ Monks, just on this count, that monk should remain near that village, he should not depart.

But in this connection, monks, a monk is staying near a village. While he is staying near this village mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. Monks, that monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this village. While I am staying near this village, mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.’ Monks, that monk should remain near this village even as long as life lasts, he should not depart.

“In this connection, monks, a monk is staying near a little town. While lie is staying near that little town, mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this little town. While I am staying near this little town mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty.’ Monks, that monk, whether it be by night or day, should depart from that little town, he should not remain.

But in this connection, monks, a monk is staying in near a little town. While he is staying near this little town, mindfulness that had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this little town. While I am staying near this little town, mindfulness that had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. But I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of robe-material. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of almsfood. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of lodgings. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of medicines for the sick. But while I am staying near this little town, mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained.’ Monks, just on this count, that monk should depart from that little town, he should not remain.

In this connection, monks, a monk is staying near a little town. While he is staying near this little town mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this little town. While I am staying near this little town mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. But I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of robe-material. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of almsfood. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of lodgings. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of medicines for the sick. But while I am staying near this little town mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained.’ Monks, just on this count, that monk should remain near that little town, he should not depart.

But in this connection, monks, a monk is staying near a little town. While he is staying near this little town mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. Monks, that monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this little town. While I am staying near this little town, mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.’ Monks, that monk should remain near this little town even as long as life lasts, he should not depart.

“In this connection, monks, a monk is staying near a town. While lie is staying near that town, mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this town. While I am staying near this town mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty.’ Monks, that monk, whether it be by night or day, should depart from that town, he should not remain. But in this connection, monks, a monk is staying in near a town. While he is staying near this town, mindfulness that had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this town. While I am staying near this town, mindfulness that had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. But I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of robe-material. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of almsfood. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of lodgings. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of medicines for the sick. But while I am staying near this town, mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained.’ Monks, just on this count, that monk should depart from that town, he should not remain.

In this connection, monks, a monk is staying near a town. While he is staying near this town mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this town. While I am staying near this town mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. But I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of robe-material. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of almsfood. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of lodgings. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of medicines for the sick. But while I am staying near this town mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained.’ Monks, just on this count, that monk should remain near that town, he should not depart.

But in this connection, monks, a monk is staying near a town. While he is staying near this town mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. Monks, that monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this town. While I am staying near this town, mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.’ Monks, that monk should remain near this town even as long as life lasts, he should not depart.

“In this connection, monks, a monk is staying near a country district. While lie is staying near that country district, mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this country district. While I am staying near this country district mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty.’ Monks, that monk, whether it be by night or day, should depart from that country district, he should not remain.

But in this connection, monks, a monk is staying in near a country district. While he is staying near this country district, mindfulness that had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this country district. While I am staying near this country district, mindfulness that had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. But I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of robe-material. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of almsfood. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of lodgings. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of medicines for the sick. But while I am staying near this country district, mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained.’ Monks, just on this count, that monk should depart from that country district, he should not remain.

In this connection, monks, a monk is staying near a country district. While he is staying near this country district mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this country district. While I am staying near this country district mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. But I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of robe-material. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of almsfood. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of lodgings. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of medicines for the sick. But while I am staying near this country district mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained.’ Monks, just on this count, that monk should remain near that country district, he should not depart.

But in this connection, monks, a monk is staying near a country district. While he is staying near this country district mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. Monks, that monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this country district. While I am staying near this country district, mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.’ Monks, that monk should remain near this country district even as long as life lasts, he should not depart.

“In this connection, monks, a monk is staying near a certain man. While lie is staying near that man, mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this man. While I am staying near this man mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty.’ Monks, that monk, whether it be by night or day, should depart without having asked that man (for permission), he should not be waited on by him. But in this connection, monks, a monk is staying in near a certain man. While he is staying near this man, mindfulness that had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this man. While I am staying near this man, mindfulness that had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. But I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of robe-material. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of almsfood. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of lodgings. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of medicines for the sick. But while I am staying near this man, mindfulness which had not been aroused is not aroused, and thought which was not composed is not composed, and the cankers which were not totally destroyed do not come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is not attained.’ Monks, that monk, whether it be by night or day, should depart without having asked that man (for permission), he should not be waited on by him.

In this connection, monks, a monk is staying near a certain man. While he is staying near this man mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. Monks, this monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this man. While I am staying near this man mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, but those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got (only) with difficulty. But I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of robe-material. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of almsfood. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of lodgings. I did not go forth from home into homelessness for the sake of medicines for the sick. But while I am staying near this man mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained.’ Monks, just on this count, that monk may be waited on by that man, he should not depart.

But in this connection, monks, a monk is staying near a certain man. While he is staying near this man mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty. Monks, that monk should reflect thus: ‘I am staying near this man. While I am staying near this man, mindfulness which had not been aroused is aroused, and thought which was not composed is composed, and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed come to total destruction, and the incomparable security from the bonds which had not been attained is attained, and those necessities of life which should be procured by one who has gone forth, robe-material, almsfood, lodgings, medicines for the sick, these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.’ Monks, that monk may be waited on by that man even for as long as life lasts, he should not depart even if he is being driven away.”

Thus spoke the Lord. Delighted, these monks rejoiced in what the Lord had said.

Discourse on the Forest Grove: The Seventh

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthi, at Jeta‘s Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika‘s Park. There the Blessed One addressed the monks: “Monks!” “Auspicious sir,” those monks replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this: “Monks, I will teach you a discourse about wilderness groves. Listen to this and carefully pay attention; I will speak.” “Yes, Bhante,” those monks replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this:

“Monks, here a monk lives in a particular wilderness grove. While living in that wilderness grove, his unestablished mindfulness does not become established, his unconcentrated mind does not become concentrated, his uneliminated corruptions do not become eliminated, and the unsurpassable security from limitation which he has not attained is not being attained. And the basic necessities of life which he needs to procure – robes, almsfood, dwelling-places, medicines and medical supplies – are difficult to obtain. Monks, that monk is to reflect, ‘I am living in this wilderness grove. While I am living here, my unestablished mindfulness does not become established, my unconcentrated mind does not become concentrated, my uneliminated corruptions do not become eliminated, and the unsurpassable security from limitation which I have not attained is not being attained. And the basic necessities of life which I need to procure – robes, almsfood, dwelling-places, medicines and medical supplies – are difficult to obtain.’ Monks, that monk is to leave that wilderness grove that very day or that very night; he is not to live there.

“Monks, here a monk lives in a particular wilderness grove. While living in that wilderness grove, his unestablished mindfulness does not become established, his unconcentrated mind does not become concentrated, his uneliminated corruptions do not become eliminated, and the unsurpassable security from limitation which he has not attained is not being attained. And the basic necessities of life which he needs to procure – robes, almsfood, dwelling-places, medicines and medical supplies – are easy to obtain. Monks, that monk is to reflect, ‘I am living in this wilderness grove. While I am living here, my unestablished mindfulness does not become established, my unconcentrated mind does not become concentrated, my uneliminated corruptions do not become eliminated, and the unsurpassable security from limitation which I have not attained is not being attained. And the basic necessities of life which I need to procure – robes, almsfood, dwelling-places, medicines and medical supplies – are easy to obtain. However, I did not leave the household life for the sake of robes… almsfood… dwelling-places… medicines and medical supplies. And while I am living this wilderness grove, my unestablished mindfulness does not become established, my unconcentrated mind does not become concentrated, my uneliminated corruptions do not become eliminated, and the unsurpassable security from limitation which I have not attained is not being attained.’ Monks, after consideration, that monk is to leave that wilderness grove; he is not to live there.

“Monks, here a monk lives in a particular wilderness grove. While living in that wilderness grove, his unestablished mindfulness becomes established, his unconcentrated mind becomes concentrated, his uneliminated corruptions become eliminated, and the unsurpassable security from limitation which he has not attained is being attained. And the basic necessities of life which he needs to procure – robes, almsfood, dwelling-places, medicines and medical supplies – are difficult to obtain. Monks, that monk is to reflect, ‘I am living in this wilderness grove. While I am living here, my unestablished mindfulness becomes established, my unconcentrated mind becomes concentrated, my uneliminated corruptions become eliminated, and the unsurpassable security from limitation which I have not attained is being attained. And the basic necessities of life which I need to procure – robes, almsfood, dwelling-places, medicines and medical supplies – are difficult to obtain. However, I did not leave the household life for the sake of robes… almsfood… dwelling-places… medicines and medical supplies. And while I am living this wilderness grove, my unestablished mindfulness becomes established, my unconcentrated mind becomes concentrated, my uneliminated corruptions become eliminated, and the unsurpassable security from limitation which I have not attained is being attained.’ Monks, after consideration, that monk is to live in that wilderness grove; he is not to leave.

“Monks, here a monk lives in a particular wilderness grove. While living in that wilderness grove, his unestablished mindfulness becomes established, his unconcentrated mind becomes concentrated, his uneliminated corruptions become eliminated, and the unsurpassable security from limitation which he has not attained is being attained. And the basic necessities of life which he needs to procure – robes, almsfood, dwelling-places, medicines and medical supplies – are easy to obtain. Monks, that monk is to reflect, ‘I am living in this wilderness grove. While I am living here, my unestablished mindfulness becomes established, my unconcentrated mind becomes concentrated, my uneliminated corruptions become eliminated, and the unsurpassable security from limitation which I have not attained is being attained. And the basic necessities of life which I need to procure – robes, almsfood, dwelling-places, medicines and medical supplies – are easy to obtain.’ Monks, that monk is to live in that wilderness grove for the rest of his life; he is not to leave.

“Monks, here a monk lives in a particular village… town… city… country…

“Monks, here a monk lives in dependence on a particular person. While living in dependence on that person, his unestablished mindfulness does not become established… the basic necessities of life… are difficult to obtain… Monks, that monk is to leave that person that very day or that very night without taking leave; he is not to follow that person.

“Monks, here a monk lives in dependence on a particular person. While living in dependence on that person, his unestablished mindfulness does not become established… the basic necessities of life… are easy to obtain… Monks, after consideration, that monk is to leave that person after taking leave; he is not to follow that person.

“Monks, here a monk lives in dependence on a particular person. While living in dependence on that person, his established mindfulness becomes established… the basic necessities of life… are difficult to obtain… Monks, after consideration, that monk is to follow that person; he is not to leave.

“Monks, here a monk lives in dependence on a particular person. While living in dependence on that person, his established mindfulness becomes established… the basic necessities of life… are easy to obtain… Monks, that monk is to follow that person for the rest of his life; he is not to leave even if dismissed.”

This is what the Blessed One said. Satisfied, those monks delighted in the Blessed One‘s speech.