577. A monk should live in a place suitable for meditation. Far away, quiet, and secluded forests inhabited by wild animals are ideal places.
578. A monk should wear the coarse robe which was sewn from rags, taken from a heap of rubbish, a cemetery or the streets.
579. A monk should walk for alms from house to house without exception, making his mind humble. He should walk with his sense doors guarded and well restrained.
580. He should be content, even with coarse food. He should not seek many various flavours. The mind of one who is greedy for flavours does not delight in meditation.
581. One should live desiring very little and content with whatever is available. Without mingling in the company of lay people and monastics, a sage should live alone.
582. A wise monk stays in the midst of the monks as if he knows nothing and has no voice. He should not speak excessively.
583. A monk should not insult anyone. He should not hurt anyone. He should be restrained by the rules of discipline and should know the purpose of eating.
584. A monk should be skilled in handling the meditation object which gives rise to energy of mind. He should practice serene and insight meditations at the right time.
585. A monk should meditate always putting forth energy and effort. A wise monk doesn’t give up hope until he has achieved Nibbāna, putting an end to all suffering.
586. When a monk lives in this way, desiring noble purity, all his taints are removed completely, and he attains extinguishing.
These verses were said by Arahant Upasena.
