SN35.63 — The First Deer Park Discourse
Originating in Sāvatthī.
Then Venerable Migajāla approached the Blessed One, and after paying homage to him, sat down to one side. Seated to one side, Venerable Migajāla said to the Blessed One:
One who lives alone, one who lives alone, it is said, venerable sir. In what way, venerable sir, is one a lone dweller, and in what way is one a dweller with a companion?
There are, Migajāla, forms cognizable by the eye that are desirable, lovely, agreeable, pleasing, connected with sensual desire, and alluring. If a disciple delights in them, welcomes them, and remains holding to them, delight arises in him.
With the arising of delight, there is lust; with the arising of lust, there is bondage. A disciple who is bound by the bondage of delight is called one who dwells with a companion.
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There are, Migajāla, tastes cognizable by the tongue that are desirable, lovely, agreeable, pleasing, connected with sensual desire, and alluring. If a disciple delights in them, welcomes them, and remains holding to them, delight arises in him.
With the arising of delight, there is lust; with the arising of lust, there is bondage. A disciple who is bound by the bondage of delight is called one who dwells with a companion.
Even if a disciple, Migajāla, resorts to remote forest and jungle dwellings, places of solitude, quiet, and seclusion, suitable for retreat, he is still called one who dwells with a companion. Why is that? Because craving is his companion, and it has not been abandoned by him.
Therefore, he is called one who dwells with a companion.
There are, Migajāla, forms cognizable by the eye that are desirable, lovely, agreeable, pleasing, connected with sensual desire, and alluring. If a disciple does not delight in them, does not welcome them, and does not remain holding to them, delight ceases in him.
With the cessation of delight, there is no lust; with the cessation of lust, there is no bondage. A disciple who is freed from the bondage of delight is called one who dwells alone.
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There are, Migajāla, tastes cognizable by the tongue…
There are, Migajāla, mental phenomena cognizable by the mind that are desirable, lovely, agreeable, pleasing, connected with sensual desire, and alluring. If a disciple does not delight in them, does not welcome them, and does not remain holding to them, delight ceases in him.
With the cessation of delight, there is no lust; with the cessation of lust, there is no bondage. A disciple who is freed from the bondage of delight is called one who dwells alone.
Even if a disciple, Migajāla, lives in a village, surrounded by disciples, disciplenīs, male and female lay followers, kings, royal ministers, sectarians, and their disciples, he is still called one who dwells alone. Why is that? Because craving is his companion, and it has been abandoned by him. Therefore, he is called one who dwells alone.