PATISALLĀNA SUTTA: DISCOURSE ON SECLUSION
There, the Buddha addressed the monks,
“Monks”,
“Yes, Venerable Sir”, the monks replied.
Then the Buddha said:
“Monks, devote yourself to the practice of seclusion. Monks, a monk in seclusion understands true reality. And what is the true reality that he understands? The arising and passing away of form; the arising and passing away of feeling; the arising and passing away of perception; the arising and passing away of mental formation and the arising and passing away of consciousness.”
[In the Mahā Niddesa of the Niddesa, which is the 11th book of the Khuddaka Nikāya (collection of the Buddha’s minor discourses), three types of seclusion have been mentioned:
1. Kāya Viveka – Physical seclusion
2. Citta viveka – Mental seclusion
3. Upadhi Viveka – Seclusion from the substrates
Physical seclusion can be described as keeping away from one’s physical environment: people, things, and activities, that can disturb and distract a meditator from the practice of meditation and contemplation. Mental seclusion is the seclusion from the mental defilements known as the mental hindrances (nīvarana) which hinder the development of the mind during meditation. The five mental hindrances are Sensual desire (kāmacchanda), ill-will (vyāpāda), sloth and torpor (thīna-middha), restlessness and remorse (uddhacca-kukkucca) and skeptical doubt (vicikiccā). They can obstruct the development of the concentration of the mind (samādhi) and weaken the development of insight into the reality of phenomena. Seclusion from substrates means liberation from the burdens of all attachments and objects of clinging which happens when one gains enlightenment through the eradication of all mental defilements.
- First seclusion is the most challenging for lay people due to their family or societal obligations, which can cause a lot of stress. This step is easier for Bhikkhus. Being isolated from the first seclusion makes it easier to be isolated from the other as well. This is why it’s easier to achieve arahant stage as a Bhikkhu. A person who has achieved arahant status will naturally want to distance themselves from worldly matters such as family, business, wealth, and fame. The second seclusion becomes easier as one progresses through the magga phala. At the sotāpanna and sakadagamin stage, we are isolated from micchādiṭṭhi (wrong views), skeptical doubt (vicikiccā), and the extreme agitation that leads to committing apayagami acts. In the anagami stage, we are isolated from Kāmacchanda (sensual desire) and ill-will (vyāpāda). In the arahant stage, we are isolated from all hindrances. The third seclusion is only reached at the arahant stage.