Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c25.30

c25.30

As Oldenberg points out [*Buddha*, p. 367*n*], "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 wakeful spirit' [*Saṁy. N.*, quoted in the *Mil. Pañ.*, 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. If he does not find one, then let him go forth alone, as a king who abandons his conquered kingdom, like the elephant into the forest'" [*Dhammapada*, 328, seq.]