Mahāassapurasutta

Suttapiṭaka · Majjhimanikāya · Vol. 12 · Section 466

[466] "And what, bhikkhus, is there still further to be done? You should train thus: 'We shall be moderate in eating; reflecting wisely, we shall take food neither for amusement, nor for intoxication, nor for adornment, nor for beautification, but only so far as is needed for the maintenance and sustenance of this body, for the ending of affliction, and for the support of the holy life (brahmacariya), considering: "Thus shall we terminate the old feeling (vedanā) and not arouse a new feeling, and there shall be for us the keeping going of life, blamelessness, and a comfortable abiding."' Thus indeed, bhikkhus, should you train. Now, bhikkhus, it may occur to you: 'We are endowed with conscience (hiri) and fear of wrongdoing (ottappa); our bodily conduct is pure, our verbal conduct is pure, our mental conduct is pure, our livelihood is pure; we are guarded as to the doors of the sense faculties, and we are moderate in eating. With just this much it is enough; with just this much it is done; the goal of the ascetic life (sāmaññattha) has been attained by us; there is nothing further for us to be done' — and with just that much you might rest content. I declare to you, bhikkhus, I announce to you, bhikkhus: while there is still more to be done, let not the goal of the ascetic life fall away from you who are seekers of the goal of the ascetic life."

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.