[Note: We often see the Buddha criticizing the love of company. We also see him praising good spiritual companionship. These two things are not a contradiction. We should seek out wise companionship and avoid useless socializing.]
…I will teach you seven more principles that prevent decline. …
- As long as the mendicants don’t relish work, loving it and liking to relish it, they can expect growth, not decline.
- As long as they don’t relish talk …
- sleep …
- company …
- they don’t have corrupt wishes, falling under the sway of corrupt wishes …
- they don’t have bad friends, companions, and associates …
- they don’t stop half-way after achieving some insignificant distinction, they can expect growth, not decline.
As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.
Read the entire translation of Dīgha Nikāya 16 Mahāparinibbānasutta: The Great Discourse on the Buddha’s Extinguishment by Bhikkhu Sujato on SuttaCentral.net. Or read a different translation on DhammaTalks.org, Ancient-Buddhist-Texts.net or AccessToInsight.org. Or listen on PaliAudio.com or SC-Voice.net. Or explore the Pali on DigitalPaliReader.online.
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