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IF HE SHOULD DESIRE—.
AKAŃKHEYYA-SUTTA.
1. Thus have I heard. The Blessed One was once staying at Sâvatthi in Anâtha Pindika's park. There the Blessed One addressed the Brethren, and said, Bhikkhus.' 'Yea, Lord!' said the Brethren, in assent, to the Blessed One.
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Then spake the Blessed One:
2. Continue, Brethren, in the practice of Right Conduct1, adhering to the Rules of the Order 2; continue enclosed by the restraint of the Rules of the Order, devoted to uprightness in life; train yourselves according to the Precepts, taking them upon you in the sense of the danger in the least offence.
3. If a Bhikkhu should desire, Brethren, to become beloved, popular, respected among his fellowdisciples, let him then fulfil all righteousness, let him be devoted to that quietude of heart which springs from within, let him not drive back the ecstasy of contemplation, let him look through things, let him be much alone!'
1 Sîla.
3
2 Pâtimokkhâ. Akâragokarâ. Comp. Tevigga Sutta I, 49.
Sikkhâpadesu. The Buddhist Decalogue (given in 'Buddhism,' p. 160).
5 Agghattam keto samatham.
* Ghâna.
7 Vipassanâ: it is always used, in contrast to samatha
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