Overview
Living in the wilderness is only spiritually fruitful if driven by the right internal motivation. The Buddha observed that some monks move to the forest out of stupidity, some for a bad reputation, and some out of madness. He outlined five specific wholesome qualities that identify a true, noble forest practitioner.
The List
- Appiccho hoti - Endowed with Fewness of Desires: He stays in the forest to let go of attention, not to attract wealthy lay visitors or fame as a holy man.
- Santuṭṭho hoti - Endowed with Contentment: He is perfectly happy with a simple cave, rough food, and basic rags.
- Sallekho hoti - Endowed with Effacement: His primary goal is the systematic shaving away and destruction of his own mental defilements.
- Pavivitto hoti - Endowed with Physical Seclusion: He stays completely detached from village gossip, politics, and social crowds.
- Idamatthito hoti - Endowed with the Ultimate Goal: He dwells in the forest strictly because it supports the immediate development of concentration and insight, prioritizing liberation.
Textual References
- Canonical: Āraññika Sutta (AN 5.181) – The Buddha evaluates the varying motivations of forest dwellers, exalting only the one driven by this fifth quality.