[738] **"For one who delights in company, it is impossible (aṭṭhāna) that he should touch even temporary liberation (sāmayikā vimutti)."**
For this was said by the Blessed One: "So long, Ānanda, as a bhikkhu delights in company, is delighted by company, is devoted to delight in company; delights in a group, is delighted by a group, rejoices in a group, is devoted to delight in a group — that he will be one who gains at will, gains without trouble, gains without difficulty, that happiness of renunciation (nekkhamma), happiness of seclusion, happiness of peace, happiness of awakening: this is not possible. But, Ānanda, when a bhikkhu dwells alone, withdrawn from the group, it may be expected of that bhikkhu that he will be one who gains at will, gains without trouble, gains without difficulty, that happiness of renunciation, happiness of seclusion, happiness of peace, happiness of awakening: this is possible.
"So long, Ānanda, as a bhikkhu delights in company, is delighted by company, is devoted to delight in company; delights in a group, is delighted by a group, rejoices in a group, is devoted to delight in a group — that he will dwell having entered upon either the temporary liberation of mind (cetovimutti), or the non-temporary, unshakeable [liberation]: this is not possible. But, Ānanda, when a bhikkhu dwells alone, withdrawn from the group, it may be expected of that bhikkhu that he will dwell having entered upon either the temporary liberation of mind, or the non-temporary, unshakeable [liberation]: this is possible."
Hence: **"For one who delights in company, it is impossible that he should touch even temporary liberation."**
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.