Majjhima Nikāya
1. Mūla-Paṇṇāsa
2. Sīhanāda Vagga

The Middle Length Sayings
I. The First Fifty Discourses
2. The Division of the Lion’s Roar

Sutta 17

Vana-Pattha Suttaɱ

Translated from the Pali by I.B. Horner, M.MA.
Associate of Newham College, Cambridge
First Published in 1954

Copyright The Pali Text Society
Commercial Rights Reserved

For details see Terms of Use.

[136]

[1][chlm][ntbb][upal] THUS have I heard:

At one time the Lord was staying near Savatthī||
in the Jeta Grove in Anathapiṇḍika’s monastery.

There the Lord addressed the monks, saying:

“Monks.”

“Revered One,” these monks answered the Lord in assent.

The Lord spoke thus:

[2] “Monks, I will teach you the disquisition on the forest grove.^[1]

Listen to it,
pay careful attention to it,
and I will speak.”

“Yes, Lord,”
the monks answered the Lord in assent.

[3] “In this connection, monks,
a monk is staying in a certain forest grove.

While he is staying in that forest grove
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who [137] has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying in this forest grove.

While I am staying in this forest grove
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.’

Monks, that monk –
whether it be by night or day^[2] –
should depart from that forest grove,
he should not remain.

§

[4] But in this connection, monks,
a monk is staying in a certain forest grove.

While he is staying in that forest grove,
mindfulness that had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying in this forest grove.

While I am staying in this forest grove,
mindfulness that had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.^[3]

But I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of robe-material.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of almsfood.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of lodgings..

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of medicines for the sick.^[4]

But while I am staying in this forest grove mindfulness which [138] had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained.’

Monks, just on this count,^[5]
that monk should depart from that forest grove,
he should not remain.

§

[5] In this connection, monks,
a monk is staying in a certain forest grove.

While he is staying in that forest grove
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying in this forest grove.

While I am staying in this forest grove
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

But I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of robe-material.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of almsfood.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of lodgings.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of medicines for the sick.

But while I am staying in this forest grove
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained.’

Monks, just on this count,
that monk should remain in that forest grove,
he should not depart.

§

[6] But in this connection, monks,
a monk is staying in a certain forest grove.

While he is staying in that forest grove
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

Monks, that monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying in this forest grove.

While I am staying in this forest grove,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.’

Monks, [139] that monk should remain in that forest grove
even as long as life lasts,
he should not depart.

§

[7] [1] “In this connection, monks,
a monk is staying near^[6] a village.

While lie is staying near that village,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this village.

While I am staying near this village
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.’

Monks, that monk –
whether it be by night or day –
should depart from that village,
he should not remain.

■

[2] But in this connection, monks,
a monk is staying in near a village.

While he is staying near this village,
mindfulness that had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this village.

While I am staying near this village,
mindfulness that had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

But I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of robe-material.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of almsfood.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of lodgings..

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of medicines for the sick.

But while I am staying near this village,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained.’

Monks, just on this count,
that monk should depart from that village,
he should not remain.

■

[3] In this connection, monks,
a monk is staying near a village.

While he is staying near this village
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this village.

While I am staying near this village
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

But I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of robe-material.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of almsfood.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of lodgings..

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of medicines for the sick.

But while I am staying near this village
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained.’

Monks, just on this count,
that monk should remain near that village,
he should not depart.

■

[4] But in this connection, monks,
a monk is staying near a village.

While he is staying near this village
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

Monks, that monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this village.

While I am staying near this village,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.’

Monks, that monk should remain near this village
even as long as life lasts,
he should not depart.

§

[8] [1] “In this connection, monks,
a monk is staying near a little town.

While lie is staying near that little town,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this little town.

While I am staying near this little town
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.’

Monks, that monk –
whether it be by night or day –
should depart from that little town,
he should not remain.

■

[2] But in this connection, monks,
a monk is staying in near a little town.

While he is staying near this little town,
mindfulness that had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this little town.

While I am staying near this little town,
mindfulness that had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

But I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of robe-material.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of almsfood.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of lodgings..

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of medicines for the sick.

But while I am staying near this little town,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained.’

Monks, just on this count,
that monk should depart from that little town,
he should not remain.

■

[3] In this connection, monks,
a monk is staying near a little town.

While he is staying near this little town
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this little town.

While I am staying near this little town
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

But I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of robe-material.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of almsfood.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of lodgings..

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of medicines for the sick.

But while I am staying near this little town
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained.’

Monks, just on this count,
that monk should remain near that little town,
he should not depart.

■

[4] But in this connection, monks,
a monk is staying near a little town.

While he is staying near this little town
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

Monks, that monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this little town.

While I am staying near this little town,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.’

Monks, that monk should remain near this little town
even as long as life lasts,
he should not depart.

§

[9] [1] “In this connection, monks,
a monk is staying near a town.

While lie is staying near that town,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this town.

While I am staying near this town
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.’

Monks, that monk –
whether it be by night or day –
should depart from that town,
he should not remain.

■

[2] But in this connection, monks,
a monk is staying in near a town.

While he is staying near this town,
mindfulness that had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this town.

While I am staying near this town,
mindfulness that had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

But I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of robe-material.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of almsfood.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of lodgings..

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of medicines for the sick.

But while I am staying near this town,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained.’

Monks, just on this count,
that monk should depart from that town,
he should not remain.

■

[3] In this connection, monks,
a monk is staying near a town.

While he is staying near this town
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this town.

While I am staying near this town
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

But I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of robe-material.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of almsfood.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of lodgings..

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of medicines for the sick.

But while I am staying near this town
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained.’

Monks, just on this count,
that monk should remain near that town,
he should not depart.

■

[4] But in this connection, monks,
a monk is staying near a town.

While he is staying near this town
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

Monks, that monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this town.

While I am staying near this town,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.’

Monks, that monk should remain near this town
even as long as life lasts,
he should not depart.

§

[10] [1] “In this connection, monks,
a monk is staying near a country district.

While lie is staying near that country district,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this country district.

While I am staying near this country district
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.’

Monks, that monk –
whether it be by night or day –
should depart from that country district,
he should not remain.

■

[2] But in this connection, monks,
a monk is staying in near a country district.

While he is staying near this country district,
mindfulness that had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this country district.

While I am staying near this country district,
mindfulness that had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

But I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of robe-material.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of almsfood.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of lodgings..

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of medicines for the sick.

But while I am staying near this country district,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained.’

Monks, just on this count,
that monk should depart from that country district,
he should not remain.

■

[3] In this connection, monks,
a monk is staying near a country district.

While he is staying near this country district
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this country district.

While I am staying near this country district
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

But I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of robe-material.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of almsfood.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of lodgings..

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of medicines for the sick.

But while I am staying near this country district
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained.’

Monks, just on this count,
that monk should remain near that country district,
he should not depart.

■

[4] But in this connection, monks,
a monk is staying near a country district.

While he is staying near this country district
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

Monks, that monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this country district.

While I am staying near this country district,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.’

Monks, that monk should remain near this country district
even as long as life lasts,
he should not depart.

§

[11] [1] “In this connection, monks,
a monk is staying near a certain man.

While lie is staying near that man,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this man.

While I am staying near this man
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.’

Monks, that monk –
whether it be by night or day –
should depart depart
without having asked that man (for permission),^[7]
he should not be waited on by him.^[8]

■

[2] But in this connection, monks,
a monk is staying in near a certain man.

While he is staying near this man,
mindfulness that had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this man.

While I am staying near this man,
mindfulness that had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

But I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of robe-material.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of almsfood.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of lodgings..

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of medicines for the sick.

But while I am staying near this man,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is not aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is not composed,
and the cankers which were not totally destroyed
do not come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is not attained.’

Monks, that monk –
whether it be by night or day –
should depart depart
without having asked that man (for permission),
he should not be waited on by him.

■

[3] In this connection, monks,
a monk is staying near a certain man.

While he is staying near this man
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

Monks, this monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this man.

While I am staying near this man
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is [140] aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
but those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got (only) with difficulty.

But I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of robe-material.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of almsfood.

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of lodgings..

I did not go forth
from home into homelessness
for the sake of medicines for the sick.

But while I am staying near this man
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained.’

Monks, just on this count,
that monk may be waited on by that man,
he should not depart.

■

[4] But in this connection, monks,
a monk is staying near a certain man.

While he is staying near this man
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.

Monks, that monk should reflect thus:

‘I am staying near this man.

While I am staying near this man,
mindfulness which had not been aroused
is aroused,
and thought which was not composed
is composed,
and the cankers which had not been totally destroyed
come to total destruction,
and the incomparable security from the bonds
which had not been attained
is attained,
and those necessities of life
which should be procured by one who has gone forth –
robe-material,
almsfood,
lodgings,
medicines for the sick –
these are to be got with (only) a little difficulty.’

Monks, that monk may be waited on by that man
even for as long as life lasts,
he should not depart
even if he is being driven away.”^[9]

Thus spoke the Lord.

Delighted, these monks rejoiced in what the Lord had said.

Discourse on the Forest Grove:
The Seventh

^[1] vanapattha, as at D. i. 71. MA. ii. 72 says: depending on lodgings in a vanasaṇḍa, woodland or forest thicket, beyond human habitations, he dwells performing the Dhamma of recluses. Cf. DA. i. 210.

^[2] MA. ii. 72; if he knows all this by pondering over it during the night, he should leave that same night, although if there are fierce wild animals on the road he can wait until sunrise. Similarly, if he finds all this out during the day, he should leave by day, but he can wait until sunset if there is some danger by day.

^[3] appakasirena, also meaning “without difficulty.”

^[4] Cf. Vin. i. 57-8 where a certain brahman acknowledges that he went forth for the sake of his stomach.

^[5] sankhā pi. MA. ii. 72; knowing there was not – also that there was – this result (or procedure) in the recluse-Dhamma.

^[6] upanissāya, near, in, dependent on.

^[7] anāpucchā, a common Vinaya idiom. It is an exception to the usual practice for a monk to go away without asking his supporter for his permission.

^[8] nānubandhitabbo. Cf. nānubandheyya at Vin. iv. 326, and see VA. 941.

^[9] As at A. iv. 32. MA. ii. 72 says even if the man has a stick (daṇḍa, punishment) brought, and saying, “Do not stay here,” has him thrown out; (the monk) having apologised to him, should simply remain as long as life lasts.