SN 9.1 - Viveka Sutta: Seclusion
Translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
Source: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn09/sn09.001.than.html
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Copyright: ©1999 Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
License notice: The text of this page ("Viveka Sutta: Seclusion", by Thanissaro Bhikkhu) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. To view a copy of the license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/. Documents linked from this page may be subject to other restrictions.
Attribution: ©1999 Thanissaro Bhikkhu. The text of this page ("Viveka Sutta: Seclusion", by Thanissaro Bhikkhu) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. To view a copy of the license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/. Documents linked from this page may be subject to other restrictions. Transcribed from a file provided by the translator. Last revised for Access to Insight on 30 November 2013. How to cite this document (a suggested style): "Viveka Sutta: Seclusion" (SN 9.1), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight (BCBS Edition), 30 November 2013, https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn09/sn09.001.than.html .
Changes: Presentation only: original HTML markup reflowed into plain text; wording, numbering and source repetitions retained. No repetitions expanded.
Completeness: ABBREVIATED. Every source-unit character is preserved, including introductions, notes and verse structure. Thanissaro's collection-level note explicitly states that repetitions were cut: https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/about.html. This is evidence about the translation method, not an assertion that every individual unit contains an omission; no repetitions reconstructed.

I have heard that on one occasion a certain monk was dwelling among the Kosalans in a forest thicket. Now at that time, as he had gone to spend the day [in the thicket], he was thinking unskillful thoughts, connected with the household life.

Then the devata inhabiting the forest thicket, feeling sympathy for the monk, desiring his benefit, desiring to bring him to his senses, approached him and addressed him with this verse:

 "Desiring seclusion you've entered the forest, and yet your mind goes running outside. You, a person: subdue your desire for people. Then you'll be happy, free from passion. Dispel discontent, be mindful. Let me remind you of that which is good — for the dust of the regions below is hard to transcend. Don't let the dust of the sensual pull you down. As a bird spattered with dirt sheds the adhering dust with a shake, so a monk — energetic & mindful — sheds the adhering dust." 

The monk, chastened by the devata, came to his senses.

See also: SN 9.9; SN 9.14.