The Path of Purity Part II (of Concentration)

III.—Acceptance of the Subjects of Meditation 127• • •supplied with shade and water, having well-arranged walls,posts and stairs; situated on a level, soft site resplendent "withwell-finished flower-work, .creeper-work and various kinds ofpainting; ornamented like a Brahma mansion with flowers,garlands, canopies of cloth of variegated colours; having abedstead witii .well-arranged, clean, delightful bed-covers;well-scented with the perfumes and scents of flowers kept hereand there for the sake of their perfumes; the mere sight ofwhich gives joy and gladness:—such a dwelling is suitable.The road to the dwelling should be free from all dangers, clean,level, done up and fitted out. [409] In order to cut off thepossibihty of scorpions, bugs, snakes, rats making an abodein it, the furniture of the dwelling should not be too large,just a bedstead should suffice. And his dress comprising theinner garment and the outer cloak should be the best single ordouble cloth made of China silk, Somara cloth, silk, cottonstuff, fine linen etc., light, well-dyed and pure in colour to suita monk. The bowl should be well-burnished, made of ironand flawless like a bubble of water and a well-dit gem, andvery pure in colour to suit a monk. And the path he takesin his begging-round should be free from all dangers, level,pleasant, neither too far nor too near a village. And thevillage to which he goes for alms should be one where men,saying " Now the master will come," prepare a seat in a spotcleared and besprinkled with water, meet him and take hisbowl, introduce him into their house and make him sit downon the prepared seat and serve him respectfully with theirown hands. Ajftd his servitors should be men who are handsome,well-disposed in mind, well-bathed, well-smeared, sweetwith smelling fumes, fragrance, flower-scents; decorated withapparels and ornaments of various colours, pure and lovely; 1and circumspect in their work. And his rice-gruel food shouldpossess colour, scent, taste; nourishing, delightful, excellentin all ways and sufficient for the need. And he should adoptthe posture of standing or sitting down. That object whichamong the colour devices of blue-green etc. is very pure incolour i& suitable for him who walks in hate. The dwelling1 The test of this clause should be read as one compound.