iti.45 Itivuttaka

Living in Seclusion

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.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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Retreat

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Enjoy retreat, mendicants, love retreat. Be committed to inner serenity of the heart, don’t neglect absorption, be endowed with discernment, and frequent empty huts.
A mendicant who enjoys retreat can expect one of two results:
enlightenment in the present life, or if there’s something left over, non-return.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“With minds at peace, alert,
mindful and meditative,
they rightly discern the Dhamma,
unconcerned for sensual pleasures.
Delighting in diligence, peaceful,
seeing fear in negligence,
such a one can’t decline,
and has drawn near to quenching.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.