10.
The Discourse on the One Named Thera
244.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground.
Now at that time a certain monk named Thera was one who dwelt alone and spoke in praise of dwelling alone.
He alone entered the village for almsfood, alone he returned, alone he sat in a secret place, alone he determined upon the walking path.
Then several monks approached the Blessed One;
having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, those monks said this to the Blessed One -
"Here, venerable sir, a certain monk named Thera is one who dwells alone and speaks in praise of dwelling alone."
Then the Blessed One addressed a certain monk - "Come, monk, in my name address the elder monk Thera - 'The Teacher calls you, friend Thera.'" "Yes, venerable sir," that monk replied to the Blessed One and approached the Venerable Thera; having approached, he said this to the Venerable Thera - "The Teacher calls you, friend Thera." "Yes, friend," the Venerable Thera replied to that monk and approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. To the Venerable Thera seated to one side, the Blessed One said this: "Is it true, Thera, that you are one who dwells alone and speaks in praise of dwelling alone?" "Yes, venerable sir." "In what way, then, Thera, are you one who dwells alone and speaks in praise of dwelling alone?" "Here I, venerable sir, alone enter the village for almsfood, alone I return, alone I sit in a secret place, alone I determine upon the walking path. Thus, venerable sir, I am one who dwells alone and speak in praise of dwelling alone."
"There is, Thera, this dwelling alone, I do not say it does not exist. But, Thera, listen to how dwelling alone is complete in detail, pay close attention; I will speak." "Yes, venerable sir," etc. "And how, Thera, is dwelling alone complete in detail? Here, Thera, what is past is abandoned, what is future is relinquished, and desire and lust for present acquisitions of individual existence are well removed. Thus, Thera, dwelling alone is complete in detail."
This is what the Blessed One said. Having said this, the Fortunate One, the Teacher, further said this -
Untainted in all phenomena;
Having abandoned all, liberated through the elimination of craving,
That person I call one who dwells alone." The tenth.