The Book of the Fives

Chapter XXIII: Wandering Afield

[189]

Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One dwelt near Sāvatthī;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

'Yes, lord,' they replied; and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, there are these five disadvantages
from staying too long in a place.

What five?

One¹ grudges (sharing) one's lodging,
or the families (who provide alms),
or one's possessions,
or fame;²
one grudges (sharing) Dhamma.

Monks, these are the five disadvantages
from staying too long in a place.

Monks, there are these five advantages
from staying for equal periods at places.

What five?

One grudges not (sharing) one's lodging,
nor the families (who provide alms),
nor one's possessions,
nor fame;
one grudges not (sharing) Dhamma.

¹ See DhS. trsl. 299; Expos. 480; D. iii, 234; A. iv, 459.

² Vaṇṇa. Comy. guṇa, grace.