[220] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu, in Nigrodha's Park. Now on that occasion the Blessed One wished to enter upon the rains residence at Sāvatthī. Nandiya the Sakyan heard: "The Blessed One, it is said, wishes to enter upon the rains residence at Sāvatthī." Then it occurred to Nandiya the Sakyan: "What if I too were to enter upon the rains residence at Sāvatthī? There I shall attend to my business, and from time to time I shall get to see the Blessed One."
Then the Blessed One entered upon the rains residence at Sāvatthī. Nandiya the Sakyan too entered upon the rains residence at Sāvatthī, and there, attending to his business, he got to see the Blessed One from time to time.
Now on that occasion a number of bhikkhus were making a robe for the Blessed One, [thinking:] "When the robe is finished, at the end of the three months the Blessed One will set out on tour." Nandiya the Sakyan heard: "A number of bhikkhus, it is said, are making a robe for the Blessed One; when the robe is finished, at the end of the three months the Blessed One will set out on tour." Then Nandiya the Sakyan approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, Nandiya the Sakyan said this to the Blessed One: "This has been heard, venerable sir: 'A number of bhikkhus, it is said, are making a robe for the Blessed One; when the robe is finished, at the end of the three months the Blessed One will set out on tour.' Venerable sir, as we dwell by means of various dwellings, by which dwelling should we dwell?"
"Good, good, Nandiya! It is fitting for you clansmen, Nandiya, that you should approach the Tathāgata and ask: 'Venerable sir, as we dwell by means of various dwellings, by which dwelling should we dwell?' One with faith succeeds, Nandiya, not one without faith. One who is virtuous succeeds, not one of bad conduct. One of aroused energy succeeds, not one who is lazy. One with mindfulness (sati) established succeeds, not one of muddled mindfulness. One who is concentrated succeeds, not one who is unconcentrated. One who is wise succeeds, not one of poor wisdom. Having established yourself, Nandiya, in these six qualities, you should set up mindfulness internally with regard to five things.
Here, Nandiya, you should recollect the Tathāgata: 'Thus indeed is that Blessed One: an arahant, a fully self-enlightened one, perfect in true knowledge and conduct, well-gone, knower of the world, unsurpassed trainer of persons to be tamed, teacher of gods and humans, enlightened, blessed.' Thus, Nandiya, mindfulness should be set up internally by you with regard to the Tathāgata.
Furthermore, Nandiya, you should recollect the Dhamma: 'Well proclaimed by the Blessed One is the Dhamma: to be seen for oneself, timeless, inviting one to come and see, worthy of application, to be personally known by the wise.' Thus, Nandiya, mindfulness should be set up internally by you with regard to the Dhamma.
Furthermore, Nandiya, you should recollect good friends: 'It is a gain for me, it is well gained by me, that I have good friends who are compassionate, who desire my welfare, who advise and instruct me.' Thus, Nandiya, mindfulness should be set up internally by you with regard to good friends.
Furthermore, Nandiya, you should recollect your own generosity (cāga): 'It is a gain for me, it is well gained by me, that among people obsessed by the stain of stinginess I dwell at home with a mind free from the stain of stinginess — freely generous, open-handed, delighting in relinquishment, devoted to charity, delighting in giving and sharing.' Thus, Nandiya, mindfulness should be set up internally by you with regard to generosity.
Furthermore, Nandiya, you should recollect the deities: 'Those deities who, having passed beyond companionship with the deities who feed on edible food, have been reborn in a certain mind-made body — they see in themselves nothing [more] to be done, nor any [need for] adding to what has been done.' Just as, Nandiya, a bhikkhu who is liberated not [merely] on occasion sees in himself nothing that should not be done, nor any [need for] adding to what has been done, even so, Nandiya, those deities who, having passed beyond companionship with the deities who feed on edible food, have been reborn in a certain mind-made body — they see in themselves nothing [more] to be done, nor any [need for] adding to what has been done. Thus, Nandiya, mindfulness should be set up internally by you with regard to the deities.
A noble disciple, Nandiya, who possesses these eleven qualities abandons evil, unwholesome states and does not cling [to them]. Just as, Nandiya, a pot turned upside down does not take back what has been spewed out, and just as, Nandiya, a fire that has passed free of the grass goes on burning [ahead] and does not turn back to what has already been burnt — even so, Nandiya, a noble disciple who possesses these eleven qualities abandons evil, unwholesome states and does not cling [to them]."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.