Furthermore, there’s a time when a mendicant doesn’t understand what kind of meditation they need to focus on in order to end the defilements without delay. On that occasion they should go to an esteemed mendicant and say: ‘I don’t understand what kind of meditation to focus on in order to end the defilements without delay. Venerable, please teach me how to end the defilements.’ Then that esteemed mendicant teaches them how to end the defilements. This is the sixth occasion for going to see an esteemed mendicant.
These are the six occasions for going to see an esteemed mendicant.”
Numbered Discourses 6.28 3. Unsurpassable Proper Occasions (2nd)
At one time several senior mendicants were staying near Varanasi in the deer park at Isipatana. Then after the meal, on their return from almsround, this discussion came up among them while sitting together in the pavilion.
“Reverends, how many occasions are there for going to see an esteemed mendicant?”
When this was said, one of the mendicants said to the senior mendicants:
“Reverends, there’s a time after an esteemed mendicant’s meal when they return from almsround. Having washed their feet they sit down cross-legged, set their body straight, and bring mindfulness to the present. That is the proper occasion for going to see an esteemed mendicant.”
When this was said, one of the mendicants said to that mendicant: