[299] 28. On one occasion several elder bhikkhus were dwelling at Bārāṇasī, in the Deer Park at Isipatana. Then, when those elder bhikkhus had returned from the alms round after the meal and were sitting assembled together in the round pavilion (maṇḍalamāḷa), this conversation arose among them: "Friends, what is the proper occasion for approaching a bhikkhu worthy of esteem (manobhāvanīya) to see him?"
When this was said, a certain bhikkhu said to the elder bhikkhus: "Friends, at the time when a bhikkhu worthy of esteem, having returned from the alms round after the meal and washed his feet, is sitting, having folded his legs crosswise, set his body erect, and established mindfulness (sati) before him — that is the occasion for approaching a bhikkhu worthy of esteem to see him."
When this was said, a certain bhikkhu said to that bhikkhu: "Friend, that is not the occasion for approaching a bhikkhu worthy of esteem to see him. At the time when a bhikkhu worthy of esteem, having returned from the alms round after the meal and washed his feet, is sitting, having folded his legs crosswise, set his body erect, and established mindfulness before him, at that time his fatigue from walking has not yet subsided, and at that time his fatigue from the meal has not yet subsided; therefore that is not an occasion for approaching a bhikkhu worthy of esteem to see him. But at the time when a bhikkhu worthy of esteem, having emerged from seclusion (paṭisallāna) in the evening, is sitting in the shade of the dwelling, having folded his legs crosswise, set his body erect, and established mindfulness before him — that is the occasion for approaching a bhikkhu worthy of esteem to see him."
When this was said, a certain bhikkhu said to that bhikkhu: "Friend, that is not the occasion for approaching a bhikkhu worthy of esteem to see him. At the time when a bhikkhu worthy of esteem, having emerged from seclusion in the evening, is sitting in the shade of the dwelling, having folded his legs crosswise, set his body erect, and established mindfulness before him, whatever sign of concentration (samādhinimitta) he attended to during the day, that very sign still occurs to him at that time; therefore that is not an occasion for approaching a bhikkhu worthy of esteem to see him. But at the time when a bhikkhu worthy of esteem, having risen at the dawn hour of the night, is sitting, having folded his legs crosswise, set his body erect, and established mindfulness before him — that is the occasion for approaching a bhikkhu worthy of esteem to see him."
When this was said, a certain bhikkhu said to that bhikkhu: "Friend, that is not the occasion for approaching a bhikkhu worthy of esteem to see him. At the time when a bhikkhu worthy of esteem, having risen at the dawn hour of the night, is sitting, having folded his legs crosswise, set his body erect, and established mindfulness before him, at that time his body is sustained by nutritive essence (ojā), and it is comfortable for him to attend to the teaching of the Buddhas; therefore that is the occasion for approaching a bhikkhu worthy of esteem to see him."
When this was said, the Venerable Mahākaccāna said to the elder bhikkhus: "Friends, I have heard this in the Blessed One's presence, received it in his presence: 'Bhikkhu, there are these six occasions for approaching a bhikkhu worthy of esteem to see him. What six? Here, bhikkhu, at the time when a bhikkhu dwells with a mind obsessed by sensual lust (kāmarāga), overcome by sensual lust, and he does not understand as it really is (yathābhūta) the escape from arisen sensual lust — on that occasion he should approach a bhikkhu worthy of esteem and say to him: "Friend, I dwell with a mind obsessed by sensual lust, overcome by sensual lust, and I do not understand as it really is the escape from arisen sensual lust. It would be good indeed if the venerable one would teach me the Dhamma for the abandoning of sensual lust." The bhikkhu worthy of esteem teaches him the Dhamma for the abandoning of sensual lust. This, bhikkhu, is the first occasion for approaching a bhikkhu worthy of esteem to see him. Again, bhikkhu, at the time when a bhikkhu dwells with a mind obsessed by ill will (byāpāda) … dwells with a mind obsessed by dullness and drowsiness (thīna-middha), dwells with a mind obsessed by restlessness and remorse (uddhacca-kukkucca), dwells with a mind obsessed by doubt (vicikicchā) … he does not know, does not see, the sign (nimitta) depending upon which, attending to which, the destruction of the taints (āsava) occurs immediately — on that occasion he should approach a bhikkhu worthy of esteem and say to him: "Friend, I do not know, I do not see, the sign depending upon which, attending to which, the destruction of the taints occurs immediately. It would be good indeed if the venerable one would teach me the Dhamma for the destruction of the taints." The bhikkhu worthy of esteem teaches him the Dhamma for the destruction of the taints. This, bhikkhu, is the sixth occasion for approaching a bhikkhu worthy of esteem to see him.' Friends, I have heard this in the Blessed One's presence, received it in his presence: 'Bhikkhu, these are the six occasions for approaching a bhikkhu worthy of esteem to see him.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.