Read and Reflect

Unit 1: The Upaddha Sutta (Half of the Holy Life)

Core Insight

Admirable friendship, companionship, and camaraderie are actually the whole of the holy life.

Sutta Text

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying among the Sakyans. Now there is a Sakyan town named Sakkara. There Ven. Ānanda went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to the Blessed One, sat to one side. As he was sitting there, Ven. Ānanda said to the Blessed One, “This is half of the holy life, lord: having admirable people as friends, companions, & colleagues.”1

“Don’t say that, Ānanda. Don’t say that. Having admirable people as friends, companions, and colleagues is actually the whole of the holy life. When a monk has admirable people as friends, companions, and colleagues, he can be expected to develop and pursue the noble eightfold path.

“And how does a monk who has admirable people as friends, companions, and colleagues, develop and pursue the noble eightfold path? There is the case where a monk develops right view dependent on seclusion, dependent on dispassion, dependent on cessation, resulting in relinquishment. He develops right resolve… right speech… right action… right livelihood… right effort… right mindfulness… right concentration dependent on seclusion, dependent on dispassion, dependent on cessation, resulting in relinquishment. This is how a monk who has admirable people as friends, companions, and colleagues, develops and pursues the noble eightfold path.

“And through this line of reasoning one may know how having admirable people as friends, companions, and colleagues is actually the whole of the holy life: it is in dependence on me as an admirable friend that beings subject to birth have gained release from birth, that beings subject to aging have gained release from aging, that beings subject to death have gained release from death, that beings subject to sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, and despair have gained release from sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, and despair. It is through this line of reasoning that one may know how having admirable people as friends, companions, and colleagues is actually the whole of the holy life.”

Note

1. This means not only associating with good people, but also learning from them and emulating their good qualities.

Josh's Commentary

It’s easy to be misled—especially for those who live in the West—into believing that Buddhist spiritual practice is fundamentally centered around meditation; that solitary seated sessions are what lead to peace and enlightenment. However, the Buddha’s life and practice was spent in community, surrounded by friends and followers. Anyone who spends time visiting Buddhist temples throughout Thailand or Burma will note how these spiritual centers are social gathering spots, similar to town centers where people flock to after long days of work, connecting with one other for mutuality and support.



Reflect

Is my life and practice grounded in a supportive community? Do I prioritize work and other obligations over my need for and engagement with community?

You can make notes in a journal if you wish.

Sutta translation courtesy of dhammatalks.org.