7.
The Discourse on Non-Decline
37.
"Monks, a monk possessed of four qualities is unable to decline, he is near to Nibbāna itself.
With which four?
Here, monks, a monk is accomplished in morality, is one with guarded doors in the sense faculties, is one who knows moderation in food, is devoted to wakefulness.
"And how, monks, is a monk accomplished in morality? Here, monks, a monk is virtuous, he dwells restrained by the restraint of the Pātimokkha, accomplished in good conduct and lawful resort, seeing danger in the slightest faults, having accepted the training rules he trains in them. Thus, monks, a monk is accomplished in morality.
"And how, monks, is a monk one with guarded doors in the sense faculties? Here, monks, a monk, having seen a form with the eye, is not one who grasps at signs, nor one who grasps at features. Since, if he were to dwell with the eye-faculty unrestrained, covetousness, displeasure, and evil unwholesome mental states would flow in upon him, he proceeds to restrain it; he guards the eye-faculty; he commits to restraint of the eye-faculty. Having heard a sound with the ear... Having smelled an odour with the nose. Having tasted a flavour with the tongue. having touched a tangible object with the body... Having cognised a mental object with the mind, he is not one who grasps at signs, nor one who grasps at features. Since, if he were to dwell with the mind faculty unrestrained, covetousness, displeasure, and evil unwholesome mental states would flow in upon him, he proceeds to restrain it; he guards the mind faculty; he commits to restraint of the mind faculty. Thus, monks, a monk is one with guarded doors in the sense faculties.
"And how, monks, is a monk one who knows moderation in food? Here, monks, a monk, having reflected wisely, takes food - 'not for amusement, not for intoxication, not for adornment, not for beautification; only for the presence and sustenance of this body, for the cessation of harm, for the support of the holy life. Thus: I shall ward off the old feeling and shall not give rise to a new feeling, and there will be for me progress, blamelessness, and comfortable dwelling.' Thus, monks, a monk is one who knows moderation in food.
"And how, monks, is a monk devoted to wakefulness? Here, monks, a monk during the day by walking and sitting purifies the mind of obstructive mental states; during the first watch of the night by walking and sitting he purifies the mind of obstructive mental states; during the middle watch of the night he lies down in the lion's posture on the right side, overlapping foot upon foot, mindful and fully aware, having attended to the perception of rising; during the last watch of the night, having risen, by walking and sitting he purifies the mind of obstructive mental states. Thus, monks, a monk is devoted to wakefulness. Monks, a monk possessed of these four qualities is unable to decline, he is near to Nibbāna itself."
Knowing moderation in food, he engages in wakefulness.
Developing wholesome mental states, for the attainment of freedom from bondage.
Is incapable of decline, he is near to Nibbāna itself." The seventh.