Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

At that time Devadatta and his friends approached the Bhagavā, having approached the Bhagavā they sat down at one side. Then Devadatta addressed the Bhagavā in the following manner:

“Bhante, the Bhagavā praises in many ways the qualities of having little desires, of being contented, of being strenuous and of austere and strict practice, of being engaged in reducing (the hindrances) and putting forth effort.

Bhante, there are these five components that will be conducive to having little desires, of being contented, of being strenuous and of austere and strict practice, of being engaged in reducing (the hindrances) and putting forth effort.

It would be helpful, Bhante, if the Bhikkhus were living during their entire life in the forest only, whoever would approach a village should be prone to reproach; for their entire life should they receive food in the bowl only, whoever accepts an invitation by a householder should be prone to reproach; for their entire life should they wear ragged worn-out robes only, whoever accepts garments by a householder should be prone to reproach; they should dwell for their entire life at the root of a tree, whoever goes for shelter, should be prone to reproach; for their entire life they should neither eat fish nor meat, whoever should eat fish or meat should be prone to reproach!”

“Enough now Devadatta, whoever prefers to live in the forest only, let him live there; whoever prefers to dwell in a village, let him do so; whoever prefers to receive his food in the bowl only, let him do so; whoever likes to accept an invitation by a householder, allow him likewise; whoever likes to wear ragged worn-out robes, let him do so; whoever accepts garments by a householder let him accept them. But whoever likes to dwell at the root of a tree this is permitted for eight months only, accepting fish and meat is allowed if pure under three conditions: not seen, not heard and not suspected.”

* Satidovāriko: Sati + dovāriko: awareness + gatekeeper, watchman.