2.
The Discourse on the Simile of the Chariot
239.
"Monks, a monk endowed with three qualities dwells in this very life with abundant happiness and joy, and has laid the groundwork for the elimination of the mental corruptions.
With which three?
He is one with guarded doors in the sense faculties, one who knows moderation in food, devoted to wakefulness.
"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. Just as, monks, on level ground at a crossroads a chariot harnessed to thoroughbreds might stand ready with goad lying ready. A skilled trainer, a charioteer of horses to be tamed, having mounted it, having taken the reins in his left hand, having taken the goad in his right hand, might drive it forward and back wherever he wishes, however he wishes. So too, monks, a monk trains for the safeguarding of these six faculties, trains for self-control, trains for taming, trains for peace. 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."' Just as, monks, a man might anoint a wound only for the purpose of healing, or just as one might lubricate an axle only for the purpose of conveying a load; thus, 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 endowed with these three qualities dwells in this very life with abundant happiness and joy, and has laid the groundwork for the elimination of the mental corruptions." The second.