{"collection":"Samyutta Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_sn47.46/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_sn47.46","id":"suttacentral_sn47.46","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/sn47.46/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Samyutta Nikaya"],"text":"Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: \u201cSir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I\u2019ve heard it, I\u2019ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.\u201d \u201cWell then, mendicant, you should purify the starting point of skillful qualities. What is the starting point of skillful qualities? Live restrained in the monastic code, conducting yourself well and resorting for alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, keep the rules you\u2019ve undertaken. When you\u2019ve done this, you should develop the four kinds of mindfulness meditation, depending on and grounded on ethics. What four? Meditate observing an aspect of the body\u2014keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. Meditate observing an aspect of feelings \u2026 mind \u2026 principles\u2014keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. When you develop the four kinds of mindfulness meditation in this way, depending on and grounded on ethics, you can expect growth, not decline, in skillful qualities, whether by day or by night.\u201d And then that mendicant approved and agreed with what the Buddha said. He got up from his seat, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving. Then that mendicant, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness. He understood: \u201cRebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.\u201d And that mendicant became one of the perfected.","title":"Restraint in the Monastic Code","tradition":"Samyutta Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":290}