[99] "Bhikkhus, one speaking rightly of Nanda might say 'a clansman'; one speaking rightly of Nanda might say 'strong'; one speaking rightly of Nanda might say 'graceful, inspiring confidence'; one speaking rightly of Nanda might say 'one of keen lust.' How else, bhikkhus, could Nanda be able to live the complete and pure holy life, except that Nanda guards the doors of the sense faculties, knows moderation in eating, is devoted to wakefulness, and is possessed of mindfulness and clear comprehension (sati-sampajañña)?
"Herein, bhikkhus, this is how Nanda guards the doors of the sense faculties: if, bhikkhus, the eastern direction is to be looked at by Nanda, then, having concentrated his whole mind (citta), Nanda looks at the eastern direction, thinking: 'As I look at the eastern direction thus, evil, unwholesome states of covetousness and grief (abhijjhā-domanassa) will not flow in upon me.' Thus he is clearly comprehending therein. If, bhikkhus, the western direction is to be looked at by Nanda, if the northern direction is to be looked at, if the southern direction is to be looked at, if the upward direction is to be looked at, if the downward direction is to be looked at, if the intermediate directions are to be surveyed, then, having concentrated his whole mind, Nanda surveys the intermediate directions, thinking: 'As I survey the intermediate directions thus, evil, unwholesome states of covetousness and grief will not flow in upon me.' Thus he is clearly comprehending therein. This, bhikkhus, is how Nanda guards the doors of the sense faculties.
"Herein, bhikkhus, this is how Nanda knows moderation in eating: here, bhikkhus, Nanda, reflecting wisely, takes food not for amusement, not for intoxication, not for adornment, not for beautification, but only for the maintenance and sustenance of this body, for the ending of affliction, for assisting the holy life, thinking: 'Thus I shall terminate the old feeling (vedanā) and not arouse a new feeling, and I shall be healthy and blameless and dwell at ease.' This, bhikkhus, is how Nanda knows moderation in eating.
"Herein, bhikkhus, this is how Nanda is devoted to wakefulness: here, bhikkhus, during the day Nanda purifies his mind of obstructive states by walking and by sitting; in the first watch of the night he purifies his mind of obstructive states by walking 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 mind to the perception of rising; in the last watch of the night, having risen, he purifies his mind of obstructive states by walking and by sitting. This, bhikkhus, is how Nanda is devoted to wakefulness.
"Herein, bhikkhus, this is how Nanda has mindfulness and clear comprehension: here, bhikkhus, feelings are known to Nanda as they arise, known as they remain present, known as they pass away; perceptions are known as they arise, known as they remain present, known as they pass away; thoughts are known as they arise, known as they remain present, known as they pass away. This, bhikkhus, is how Nanda has mindfulness and clear comprehension.
"How else, bhikkhus, could Nanda be able to live the complete and pure holy life, except that Nanda guards the doors of the sense faculties, knows moderation in eating, is devoted to wakefulness, and is possessed of mindfulness and clear comprehension?"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.