8.
The Second Discourse on Time
28.
On one occasion many elder monks were dwelling at Bārāṇasī in the Deer Park at Isipatana.
Then for those elder monks, after the meal, having returned from their alms round, seated together assembled in the circular pavilion, this discussion arose -
"What now, friends, is the right time to approach a monk who develops the mind for an audience?"
When this was said, a certain monk said this to the elder monks - "At the time, friends, when a monk who develops the mind, after the meal, having returned from his alms round, having washed his feet, is seated, folding his legs crosswise, directing his body upright, having established mindfulness in front of him, that is the right time to approach a monk who develops the mind for an audience."
When this was said, a certain monk said this to that monk - "That, friend, is not the right time to approach a monk who develops the mind for an audience. At the time, friends, when a monk who develops the mind, after the meal, having returned from his alms round, having washed his feet, is seated, folding his legs crosswise, directing his body upright, having established mindfulness in front of him, at that time the fatigue from walking is not yet calmed in him, at that time the fatigue from the meal is not yet calmed in him. Therefore that is not the right time to approach a monk who develops the mind for an audience. At the time, friends, when a monk who develops the mind, in the evening, having emerged from seclusion, is seated in the shade of the dwelling, folding his legs crosswise, directing his body upright, having established mindfulness in front of him, that is the right time to approach a monk who develops the mind for an audience."
When this was said, a certain monk said this to that monk - "That, friend, is not the right time to approach a monk who develops the mind for an audience. At the time, friends, when a monk who develops the mind, in the evening, having emerged from seclusion, is seated in the shade of the dwelling, folding his legs crosswise, directing his body upright, having established mindfulness in front of him, whatever sign of concentration he attended to during the day, that very thing occurs to him at that time. Therefore that is not the right time to approach a monk who develops the mind for an audience. At the time, friends, when a monk who develops the mind, having risen towards the break of dawn, is seated, folding his legs crosswise, directing his body upright, having established mindfulness in front of him, that is the right time to approach a monk who develops the mind for an audience."
When this was said, a certain monk said this to that monk - "That, friend, is not the right time to approach a monk who develops the mind for an audience. At the time, friends, when a monk who develops the mind, having risen towards the break of dawn, is seated, folding his legs crosswise, directing his body upright, having established mindfulness in front of him, at that time his body is sustained by nutritive essence, it is comfortable for him to attend to the teaching of the Buddhas. Therefore that is not the right time to approach a monk who develops the mind for an audience."
When this was said, the Venerable Mahākaccāna said this to the elder monks - "Face to face with the Blessed One I heard this, friends, face to face I received it - 'Monk, there are these six times for approaching a monk who develops the mind for an audience.'
"Which six? Here, monk, at the time when a monk dwells with a mind pervaded by sensual lust, overcome by sensual lust, and does not understand as it really is the escape from arisen sensual lust, at that time, having approached a monk who develops the mind, he should be addressed thus - 'I indeed, friend, dwell with a mind pervaded by sensual lust, overcome by sensual lust, and I do not understand as it really is the escape from arisen sensual lust. It would be good indeed if the venerable one would expound to me the Teaching for the abandoning of sensual lust.' To him the monk who develops the mind expounds the Teaching for the abandoning of sensual lust. This, monk, is the first time for approaching a monk who develops the mind for an audience.
"Furthermore, monk, at the time when a monk dwells with a mind pervaded by anger, etc. dwells with a mind pervaded by sloth and torpor, dwells with a mind pervaded by restlessness and remorse, dwells with a mind pervaded by sceptical doubt, does not know, does not see that sign, based on which sign, attending to which sign, there is the proximate elimination of mental corruptions, at that time, having approached a monk who develops the mind, he should be addressed thus - 'I indeed, friend, do not know, do not see that sign, based on which sign, attending to which sign, there is the proximate elimination of mental corruptions. It would be good indeed if the venerable one would expound to me the Teaching for the elimination of mental corruptions.' For him, the monk who cultivates the mind expounds the Teaching for the elimination of mental corruptions. This, monk, is the sixth right time to approach a monk who cultivates the mind for an audience.
"Face to face with the Blessed One I heard this, friend, face to face I received it - 'These, monk, are the six right times to approach a monk who cultivates the mind for an audience.'" The eighth.