Dhamma Principles › The Greater Discourse on Emptiness: The Danger of Socialising
The Greater Discourse on Emptiness: The Danger of Socialising
Going deeper

The Greater Discourse on Emptiness: The Danger of Socialising

Mahāsuññatasuttaṃ

Seeing many beds laid out in one dwelling, the Buddha taught the danger of delighting in company, dwelling in inner emptiness, and asked his disciples to treat him as a friend, not an enemy.

5 points

In the Mahāsuññata Sutta of the Majjhima Nikāya, the Buddha visited Kāḷakhemaka's dwelling and saw many beds and seats laid out, and realised many monks were living there together. Ānanda explained they were making robes.

The Buddha said that a monk who delights in company and in the group cannot obtain at will the happiness of renunciation, seclusion and peace. He then described dwelling in emptiness — not attending to any signs and entering and abiding in inner emptiness.

He went on to mindfulness in all postures, speaking only of what leads to effacement, the dangers to teacher, pupil and practitioner of the holy life, and ended: treat me with friendliness, not with hostility.

  1. 1

    One who delights in company won't find the happiness of seclusion Saṅgaṇikārāmo saṅgaṇikarato

    A monk who delights in company and in the group cannot obtain at will the happiness of renunciation, seclusion, peace and awakening.

    Applying it in daily life

    If you feel you always need someone to talk to or must keep checking group chats, give yourself a short daily period of quiet and notice what happens.

  2. 2

    Dwelling in inner emptiness Sabbanimittānaṃ amanasikārā abbhantaraṃ suññataṃ

    The Tathāgata abides in inner emptiness by not attending to any signs. If the mind doesn't settle into inner emptiness, one attends to outer emptiness, then both inner and outer, then the imperturbable, in turn.

    Applying it in daily life

    This is here for understanding the overall picture. A starting point is sitting quietly without holding on to anything in particular, and knowing honestly whether the mind is calm or not.

  3. 3

    Mindful in all postures, talking only of effacement Yāyaṃ kathā abhisallekhikā

    When walking, standing, sitting or lying down, be mindful so no unwholesome states flow in. When speaking, avoid pointless talk and speak of few wishes, contentment, seclusion, energy, virtue, concentration, wisdom and deliverance.

    Applying it in daily life

    When with others, we can always choose the topic. One worthwhile conversation is better than chatting all day.

  4. 4

    The dangers to teacher, pupil and practitioner Ācariyūpaddavo antevāsūpaddavo brahmacārūpaddavo

    When one who lives secluded becomes famous and many seek them out, they may become infatuated and slide back into luxury — the teacher's danger. The same befalls a pupil imitating the teacher. The danger to a practitioner of the holy life in this Dispensation is graver than those of outside teachers and pupils.

    Applying it in daily life

    Fame and popularity are traps for those who've begun to do well. The more followers, the more watchful you must be of your own mind.

  5. 5

    Treat me with friendliness Mittavatāya samudācaratha mā sapattavatāya

    Disciples who don't listen, don't apply their minds and turn away from the teaching treat the Teacher with hostility; those who listen and practise treat him with friendliness. The Buddha said: I will not treat you as a potter treats raw, damp clay; I will speak to you restraining again and again, praising again and again. Whoever is sound will stand.

    Applying it in daily life

    A good teacher doesn't only praise. Receiving criticism as a friend is true respect for a teacher. Read alongside "Sixteen Qualities That Make One Hard to Admonish".

Try it in daily life

This matters greatly in an age of constant connection through group chats and social media. Always being with others means never knowing the peace of being with oneself.

The discourse doesn't say cut off from people — the Buddha himself lived with the Saṅgha — but to have periods genuinely away from the group, and when with others, to talk of worthwhile things. Read alongside "Ten Topics Worth Discussing".

Sign in to keep track of what you have read

Sources in the Tipiṭaka

Tap to read the actual passage on the page cited.

Other principles worth reading

Log in to earn 40 merit points for reading this page