[455] "Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu possessed of three qualities is one practising the sure course (apaṇṇakapaṭipadā), and he has laid the groundwork (yoni) for the destruction of the taints (āsava). What three? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu guards the doors of the sense faculties (indriya), knows moderation in eating, and is devoted to wakefulness (jāgariya).
"And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu guard the doors of the sense faculties? Here, bhikkhus, having seen a form with the eye, a bhikkhu does not grasp at its signs (nimitta), nor grasp at its details (anubyañjana). Since, if he were to dwell with the eye faculty unrestrained, evil, unwholesome states of covetousness and grief might flow in upon him, he practises for its restraint; he guards the eye faculty; he undertakes restraint of the eye faculty. Having heard a sound with the ear … Having smelt an odour with the nose … Having tasted a flavour with the tongue … Having touched a tangible object with the body … Having cognized a mental phenomenon with the mind, he does not grasp at its signs, nor grasp at its details. Since, if he were to dwell with the mind faculty unrestrained, evil, unwholesome states of covetousness and grief might flow in upon him, he practises for its restraint; he guards the mind faculty; he undertakes restraint of the mind faculty. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu guards the doors of the sense faculties.
"And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu know moderation in eating? Here, bhikkhus, reflecting wisely, a bhikkhu takes food neither for amusement, nor for intoxication, nor for adornment, nor for beautification, but only for the maintenance and sustenance of this body, for the ending of affliction, for the support of the holy life (brahmacariya), considering: 'Thus I shall terminate the old feeling (vedanā) and shall not arouse a new feeling; and there will be for me continued sustenance, blamelessness, and a comfortable abiding.' It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu knows moderation in eating.
"And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu devoted to wakefulness? Here, bhikkhus, during the day a bhikkhu purifies his mind (citta) of obstructive states by walking back and forth and by sitting. In the first watch of the night he purifies his mind of obstructive states by walking back and forth and by sitting. In the middle watch of the night he lies down on his right side in the lion's posture, placing one foot upon the other, with mindfulness and clear comprehension, having attended in his mind to the perception of rising. In the last watch of the night, having risen, he purifies his mind of obstructive states by walking back and forth and by sitting. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu is devoted to wakefulness.
"Bhikkhus, possessed of these three qualities a bhikkhu is one practising the sure course, and he has laid the groundwork for the destruction of the taints."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.