Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

On Distinguishing Concentration 51Adjusting one's robes one should go to the presence of one's preceptor 1and open to him one's happy heart: "O preceptor, hear me. I wish to goand serve such and such a teacher of meditation".Hearing this the preceptor will reply: "Sadhu! I too am glad. Youraction is praiseworthy. It is called co-residence with a good man and is theaction of a good man. It is the practice that accompanies the truth. Greatis the merit of learning it and greater that of co-residence. You should go tohim. After you go there, you should not be negligent".A BEGINNER'S DUTIESIf one is good, one studies earnestly, honours (one's teacher) wholeheartedly,not for a while but always. If one uses gentle speech and guardsthe body and the mouth, then, one may understand and fulfil the practice.One relies completely on the teacher in all things, does not slight himand obeys him just as a newly-wed bride her mother-in-law. If one seesother bhikkhus lacking robes or liquid-medicine, one prepares (what is lacking)in the customary way.When on going there one is instructed (through) exposition, precept andposture — in the Good Law — one should adjust one's robes, bow at the feetof the teacher and circumambulate him.At.the water-side which may be by the road or outside the village, hegoes to a certain spot, keeps his bowl, robe, sandals, washing-vessel and themeditation mat on a high place. He does not use the water which is near by,and without noise he bathes. After bathing he wears the upper-garment, 2arranges his robes and, carrying bov/P and robe and the meditation mat onhis right shoulder, rolls the shoulder-cloak 4 or throws it across the shoulder.On entering a monastery, he lowers his umbrella and circumambulatesthe relic mound. If he sees any bhikkhu, he goes to him and asks: "Is therea yogin living here ? Is there a 'dirt-rags' man living here ? Is there a 'beggedfood'man living here ? Is there a teacher of discipline living here ? Wheredoes he dwell? Which is the way to his dwelling? [409] If there is one,I wish to see him. If there are no such persons and if there is a (sub-) teacherof discipline, I wish to see him. If there is no teacher of discipline, who isthe elder here? I wish to see him".If that bhikkhu is a senior or a venerable one, one should not hand one'sbowl and robe. But if he is junior, one should. If there is none, one placesone's bowl and robe on the ground. When one sees the elder, one bowsat his feet and sits at one side.A bhikkhu who lives there will give one a seat and water, show the washing-1. Upajjhdya. 3. Patta (transliteration).2. Uttarasanga (transliteration), 4. Sanghdti (transliteration).