Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c9.1209

v1.c9.1209

3. **Upāli Sutta.**—Upāli (1) visits the Buddha and expresses a desire to retire to the solitude of the forest. Such a step is not desirable for those who have not attained to tranquillity of mind, says the Buddha, and explains his meaning by various similes. A full-grown elephant could disport himself in a deep lake according to his fancy, not so a hare or a cat. The sutta goes on to describe how, as a result of the arising of a Tathāgatā in the world, a householder would listen to the Dhamma, renounce the world, give up all evil practices and gradually attain to full development of the four jhāna. Upāli is advised to live among the monks and not go into the forest.¹