Buddha: His Life, his Doctrine, his Order c10.100

c10.100

∗ “Anguttara Nikâya,” vol. iii, fol. ki. † “Theragâthâ,” fol. kau’. ‡ The comparative estimation of solitude and of life with others could naturally be only a purely personal matter, and so it appears in the sacred texts. Sometimes we read expressions like these: “Let him seek out remote places, therein to dwell; there let him walk, that he may become free from all bands. If he does not find peace there, let him live in the Order, guarding his soul from sins with watchful spirit” (“Samy. N.,” quoted in the “Milinda Pañha,” p. 402). And then it is said again: “If he finds a wise associate, a noble comrade of upright walk, then let him live with him, overcoming all temptation, cheerful and with a watchful spirit. If he does not find a wise associate, a noble comrade of upright walk, then let him go forth alone, as a king who abandons his conquered kingdom, like the elephant into the forest” (“Dhammap.,” 328, seq.).