A monk went to see the Blessed One, and after bowing down to him, sat to one side and said to him:
Venerable sir, they speak of ‘one who lives by the teaching.’
What does it mean to be one who lives by the teaching?
‘Monk, it can be that a monk memorises the teaching in all its forms. They spend their days studying that teaching. But they neglect spending time in solitary retreat, and are not determined on inward calmness of mind.
This monk is called one who studies a lot, not one who lives by the teaching.
Again, it can be that a monk teaches the Dhamma in detail to others as they learned and memorised it. They spend their days explaining that teaching. But they neglect spending time in solitary retreat, and are not determined on inward calmness of mind.
This monk is called one who explains a lot, not one who lives by the teaching.
Again, it can be that a monk repeats the teaching in detail as they learned and memorised it. They spend their days repeating that teaching. But they neglect spending time in solitary retreat, and are not determined on inward calmness of mind.
This monk is called one who repeats a lot, not one who lives by the teaching.
Again, it can be that a monk thinks about and considers the teaching in their mind, examining it with the mind as they learned and memorised it. They spend their days thinking about that teaching. But they neglect spending time in solitary retreat, and are not determined on inward calmness of mind.
This monk is called one who thinks a lot, not one who lives by the teaching.
Again, it can be that a monk learns the teaching in all forms that he has heard it. He does not spend his days studying that teaching. He spends time in solitary retreat, and is determined on inward calmness of mind.
That is what it means to be one who lives by the teaching.
So monk, I have taught you the practice of the one who studies, the one who explains, the one who repeats, the one who thinks, and the one who lives by the teaching.
I have done what should be done by a teacher for his students, out of compassion for them, wishing for their wellbeing.
Here are the roots of trees – here are empty huts. Practice meditation, monk! Don’t be careless! Don’t later fall into regret! This is my instruction.