MN 3 Summary

Overview

The Sutta is divided into two main parts. In the first, the Buddha instructs monks on the importance of valuing spiritual practice over material necessities. In the second, the Venerable Sāriputta expands on this by explaining how disciples should train in seclusion and overcome defilements using the Noble Eightfold Path.

Part 1: The Buddha’s Instruction

The Core Plea: Dhamma vs. Material Things The Buddha urges his disciples to be his "heirs in Dhamma" (spiritual inheritance) rather than "heirs in material things."

• The Danger of Material Inheritance: If disciples focus on material gain, both they and the Teacher will be criticized ("reproached") for running a community focused on material needs rather than spiritual liberation.

• The Benefit of Dhamma Inheritance: If they prioritize the Dhamma, they protect the reputation of the Teacher and themselves from such criticism.

The Parable of the Leftover Almsfood To illustrate this, the Buddha uses a hypothetical scenario involving two monks who arrive when he has leftover food that will otherwise be thrown away:

• The First Monk: Eats the food to avoid waste and satisfy his hunger. He passes the day content, but he relied on a material thing.

• The Second Monk: Refuses the food, recalling the Buddha’s instruction to be an "heir in Dhamma." He chooses to endure hunger and weakness for the rest of the day.

• The Verdict: The Buddha declares the second monk is more to be respected. By choosing hunger over material comfort, he demonstrates "fewness of wishes, contentment, effacement, easy support, and arousal of energy."

Part 2: Sāriputta’s Teaching

After the Buddha retires to his dwelling, the Venerable Sāriputta teaches the monks about "training in seclusion."

The Failure to Train (The Negative Example) Sāriputta critiques disciples who do not follow the Teacher’s example of seclusion. He states that monks (whether Elder, Middle, or New) are to be blamed if:

1. They do not train in seclusion even when their Teacher is secluded.

2. They do not abandon the unskillful qualities the Teacher told them to abandon.

3. They act "luxurious and careless," slide back into bad habits, and neglect seclusion.

The Success in Training (The Positive Example) Conversely, disciples are to be commended if they:

1. Train in seclusion.

2. Abandon what ought to be abandoned.

3. Are not luxurious or careless, and are keen to avoid "backsliding."

The Remedy: The Middle Way Sāriputta concludes by listing specific "evils" that must be abandoned, including greed, hate, anger, resentment, hypocrisy, envy, arrogance, and vanity.

• The Cure: To abandon these evils and achieve enlightenment (Nibbāna), one must follow the Middle Way.

• The Definition: The Middle Way is defined explicitly as the Noble Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.