{"collection":"Samyutta Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_sn35.239/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_sn35.239","id":"suttacentral_sn35.239","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/sn35.239/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Samyutta Nikaya"],"text":"\u201cMendicants, when a mendicant has three qualities they\u2019re full of joy and happiness in this very life, and they have laid the groundwork for ending the defilements. What three? They guard the sense doors, eat in moderation, and are committed to wakefulness. And how does a mendicant guard the sense doors? When a mendicant sees a sight with their eyes, they don\u2019t get caught up in the features and details. If the faculty of sight were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of sight, and achieving its restraint. When they hear a sound with their ears \u2026 When they smell an odor with their nose \u2026 When they taste a flavor with their tongue \u2026 When they feel a touch with their body \u2026 When they know an idea with their mind, they don\u2019t get caught up in the features and details. If the faculty of mind were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of mind, and achieving its restraint. Suppose a chariot stood harnessed to thoroughbreds at a level crossroads, with a goad ready. A deft horse trainer, a master charioteer, might mount the chariot, taking the reins in his right hand and goad in the left. He\u2019d drive out and back wherever he wishes, whenever he wishes. In the same way, a mendicant trains to protect, control, tame, and pacify these six senses. That\u2019s how a mendicant guards the sense doors. And how does a mendicant eat in moderation? It\u2019s when a mendicant reflects rationally on the food that they eat: \u2018Not for fun, indulgence, adornment, or decoration, but only to sustain this body, to avoid harm, and to support spiritual practice. In this way, I shall put an end to old discomfort and not give rise to new discomfort, and I will have the means to keep going, blamelessness, and a comfortable abiding.\u2019 It\u2019s like a person who puts ointment on a wound only so that it can heal; or who oils an axle only so that it can carry a load. In the same way, a mendicant reflects rationally on the food that they eat: \u2018Not for fun, indulgence, adornment, or decoration, but only to sustain this body, to avoid harm, and to support spiritual practice. In this way, I shall put an end to old discomfort and not give rise to new discomfort, and I will have the means to keep going, blamelessness, and a comfortable abiding.\u2019 That\u2019s how a mendicant eats in moderation. And how is a mendicant committed to wakefulness? It\u2019s when a mendicant practices walking and sitting meditation by day, purifying their mind from obstacles. In the first watch of the night, they continue to practice walking and sitting meditation. In the middle watch, they lie down in the lion\u2019s posture\u2014on the right side, placing one foot on top of the other\u2014mindful and aware, and focused on the time of getting up. In the last watch, they get up and continue to practice walking and sitting meditation, purifying their mind from obstacles. This is how a mendicant is committed to wakefulness. When a mendicant possesses these three qualities they\u2019re full of joy and happiness in this very life, and they have laid the groundwork for ending the defilements.\u201d","title":"The Simile of the Chariot","tradition":"Samyutta Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":566}