45. Living in Seclusion

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

“Paṭisallānārāmā, bhikkhave, viharatha paṭisallānaratā, ajjhattaṁ cetosamathamanuyuttā, anirākatajjhānā, vipassanāya samannāgatā, brūhetāro suññāgārānaṁ.

Paṭisallānārāmānaṁ, bhikkhave, viharataṁ paṭisallānaratānaṁ ajjhattaṁ cetosamathamanuyuttānaṁ anirākatajjhānānaṁ vipassanāya samannāgatānaṁ brūhetānaṁ suññāgārānaṁ dvinnaṁ phalānaṁ aññataraṁ phalaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—

diṭṭheva dhamme aññā, sati vā upādisese anāgāmitā”ti.

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca.

Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

“Ye santacittā nipakā,

satimanto ca jhāyino;

Sammā dhammaṁ vipassanti,

kāmesu anapekkhino.

Appamādaratā santā,

pamāde bhayadassino;

Abhabbā parihānāya,

nibbānasseva santike”ti.

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

This was said by the Lord…

“Live enjoying seclusion, bhikkhus; live delighting in seclusion, engage in practising inner mental tranquillity, not neglecting meditation, possessing insight, and frequenting empty places. If you live enjoying seclusion, bhikkhus, … and frequenting empty places, one of two fruits is to be expected: final knowledge here and now or, there being some residual defilement, the state of non-returning.”

Those of peaceful mind, discerning,
Mindful, given to meditation,
Clearly see things rightly
And long not for sensual pleasures.

Those peaceful ones, delighting in diligence,
Who see fear in negligence,
Are incapable of falling away
And are close to Nibbāna.