Gaṇakamoggallānasutta

Suttapiṭaka · Majjhimanikāya · Vol. 14 · Section 95

[95] "Brahmin, when a bhikkhu is virtuous, dwells restrained by the restraint of the Pātimokkha, is possessed of proper conduct and resort, sees danger in faults even of the slightest measure, and trains in the training rules he has undertaken, then the Tathāgata guides him further: 'Come, bhikkhu, be one who guards the doors of the sense faculties (indriya). Having seen a form with the eye, do not grasp at the sign (nimitta), do not grasp at the details (anubyañjana); since, if you were to dwell with the eye faculty unrestrained, evil, unwholesome states of covetousness and grief (abhijjhā-domanassa) might flow in upon you, practice for its restraint, guard the eye faculty, achieve restraint over the eye faculty. Having heard a sound with the ear … having smelled an odor with the nose … having tasted a flavor with the tongue … having touched a tangible with the body … having cognized a mind-object (dhamma) with the mind, do not grasp at the sign, do not grasp at the details; since, if you were to dwell with the mind faculty unrestrained, evil, unwholesome states of covetousness and grief might flow in upon you, practice for its restraint, guard the mind faculty, achieve restraint over the mind faculty.'"

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.