3.
The Discourse on the Monk
369.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Then a certain monk approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, that monk said this to the Blessed One -
"It would be good, venerable sir, if the Blessed One would expound to me the Teaching in brief, so that having heard the Teaching from the Blessed One, I might dwell alone, withdrawn, diligent, ardent, and resolute."
"So too, here some foolish men make requests of me, and when the Teaching has been spoken, they think they should follow me about."
"Let the Blessed One expound to me the Teaching in brief, venerable sir, let the Fortunate One expound to me the Teaching in brief.
Perhaps I might understand the meaning of the Blessed One's saying, perhaps I might become an heir to the Blessed One's saying."
"Therefore, monk, you should purify the very beginning in wholesome mental states.
And what is the beginning of wholesome mental states?
Morality that is well purified, and view that is straight.
When, monk, your morality is well purified and your view is straight, then, monk, based upon morality, established upon morality, you should develop the four establishments of mindfulness in a threefold way.
Which four? Here, monk, dwell observing the body in the body internally, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world; or dwell observing the body in the body externally, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world; or dwell observing the body in the body internally and externally, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world. Internally in feelings, etc. externally in feelings, etc. or dwell observing feelings in feelings internally and externally, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world. Internally in mind, etc. externally in mind, etc. or dwell observing mind in mind internally and externally, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world. Internally in mental phenomena, etc. externally in mental phenomena, etc. or dwell observing mental phenomena in mental phenomena internally and externally, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world. When, monk, based upon morality, established upon morality, you will thus develop these four establishments of mindfulness in a threefold way, then for you, monk, whatever night or day comes, only growth is to be expected in wholesome mental states, not decline."
Then that monk, having delighted in and given thanks for what the Blessed One had said, rose from his seat, paid respect to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping him on his right, and departed. Then dwelling alone, withdrawn, diligent, ardent, and resolute, that monk soon realised for himself, with direct knowledge, in this very life, that unsurpassed consummation of the holy life for the sake of which sons of good family rightly go forth from home into homelessness; and, having entered upon it, he dwelt in it. He directly knew: "Birth is eliminated, the holy life has been lived, what had to be done has been done, there is no more coming back to any state of being." And that monk became one of the Worthy Ones. The third.