7.
The Discourse on Sāriputta's Co-resident Pupil
120.
On one occasion the Venerable Sāriputta was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Then a certain monk approached the Venerable Sāriputta;
having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the Venerable Sāriputta.
Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, that monk said this to the Venerable Sāriputta -
"A co-resident, friend Sāriputta, a monk, having rejected the training, has returned to the lower life."
"So it is, friend, for one with unguarded doors in the sense faculties, for one not knowing moderation in food, for one not devoted to wakefulness. 'That indeed, friend, a monk with unguarded doors in the sense faculties, not knowing moderation in food, not devoted to wakefulness, will continue the holy life that is complete and pure for as long as life lasts' - this is impossible. 'That indeed, friend, a monk with guarded doors in the sense faculties, knowing moderation in food, devoted to wakefulness, will continue the holy life that is complete and pure for as long as life lasts' - this is possible.
"And how, friend, is one with guarded doors in the sense faculties? Here, friends, 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, friend, one is with guarded doors in the sense faculties.
"And how, friend, does one know moderation in food? Here, friend, 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, friend, one knows moderation in food.
"And how, friend, is one devoted to wakefulness? Here, friend, 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, friend, one is devoted to wakefulness. Therefore, friends, you should train thus - 'We will be with guarded doors in the sense faculties, knowing moderation in food, devoted to wakefulness.' Thus indeed, friends, should you train." The seventh.