AN11.13 — Nandiya Sutta
At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu in the Nigrodha Park. At that time, the Blessed One intended to go to Sāvatthī for the rainy season retreat. Nandiya, a Sakyan, heard that the Blessed One intended to go to Sāvatthī for the rainy season retreat. Then it occurred to Nandiya, the Sakyan, Why don't I also go to Sāvatthī for the rainy season retreat? There, I can attend to my duties and have the opportunity to see the Blessed One from time to time.
Then the Blessed One went to Sāvatthī for the rainy season retreat. Nandiya, the Sakyan, also went to Sāvatthī for the rainy season retreat. There, he attended to his duties and had the opportunity to see the Blessed One from time to time. At that time, several disciples were making robes for the Blessed One, thinking, When the robe is finished, the Blessed One will set out on a journey after the three months.
Nandiya, the Sakyan, heard that several disciples were making robes for the Blessed One, thinking, When the robe is finished, the Blessed One will set out on a journey after the three months. Then Nandiya, the Sakyan, approached the Blessed One, and after paying homage, sat down to one side. While sitting there, Nandiya, the Sakyan, said to the Blessed One, I have heard, venerable sir, that several disciples are making robes for the Blessed One, thinking, When the robe is finished, the Blessed One will set out on a journey after the three months. For those of us dwelling in various abodes, with what kind of dwelling should we dwell?
Good, good, Nandiya. It is fitting for you, as a noble son, to approach the Tathāgata and ask, For those of us dwelling in various abodes, with what kind of dwelling should we dwell? Nandiya, one who has faith is successful, not one who lacks faith; one who is virtuous is successful, not one who is immoral; one who is energetic is successful, not one who is lazy; one who has mindfulness established is successful, not one who is unmindful; one who is concentrated is successful, not one who is unconcentrated; one who is wise is successful, not one who is unwise. Based on these six qualities, Nandiya, you should establish mindfulness internally with regard to five qualities.
Here, Nandiya, you should recollect the Tathāgata: Indeed, the Blessed One is an Arahant, perfectly enlightened, accomplished in true knowing and conduct, well-gone, knower of the worlds, incomparable leader of persons to be tamed, teacher of gods and humans, enlightened, blessed. Thus, Nandiya, you should establish mindfulness internally with regard to the Tathāgata.
Again, Nandiya, you should recollect the Dhamma: The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One, visible here and now, timeless, inviting one to come and see, leading onward, to be known individually by the wise. Thus, Nandiya, in relation to the Dhamma, mindfulness should be established within yourself.
Again, Nandiya, you should recollect your good friends: Fortunate am I, truly fortunate, to have good friends who are compassionate, desiring my welfare, giving advice, and instructing me. Thus, Nandiya, in relation to your good friends, mindfulness should be established within yourself.
Again, Nandiya, you should recollect your own generosity: Fortunate am I, truly fortunate, that I dwell in a household with a mind free from the stain of miserliness, with a mind that is generous, open-handed, delighting in relinquishment, devoted to charity, and rejoicing in sharing. Thus, Nandiya, in relation to your generosity, mindfulness should be established within yourself.
Again, Nandiya, you should recollect the deities: The deities who have surpassed the realm of those who partake of solid food and have attained a certain mind-made body, they do not see any task to be done for themselves nor any accumulation of merit. Just as, Nandiya, a disciple who is liberated in a non-temporal way does not see any task to be done for himself nor any accumulation of merit; in the same way, Nandiya, those deities who have surpassed the realm of those who partake of solid food and have attained a certain mind-made body, they do not see any task to be done for themselves nor any accumulation of merit. Thus, Nandiya, in relation to the deities, mindfulness should be established within yourself.
Endowed with these eleven qualities, Nandiya, a noble disciple abandons evil, unwholesome states and does not cling to them. Just as, Nandiya, an overturned pot spills out water and does not take it back; or just as, Nandiya, a fire set in a dry grass heap burns on and does not turn back to what has already been burned; in the same way, Nandiya, endowed with these eleven qualities, a noble disciple abandons evil, unwholesome states and does not cling to them.