SN47.20 — Discourse on the Beauty of the Country
Thus have I heard: At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sumbhas, in a market town of the Sumbhas named Sedaka.
There, the Blessed One addressed the disciples: Disciples.
Venerable Sir, those disciples replied to the Blessed One.
The Blessed One said this:
Disciples, just as if a great crowd were to gather, saying, The beauty of the country, the beauty of the country, indeed a great crowd would gather, thinking, This beauty of the country is the supreme dancer, the supreme singer. The beauty of the country dances, sings, indeed an even greater crowd would gather. Then a man desiring life, not desiring death, desiring happiness, averse to suffering, would come. Someone would say to him: This, good man, is an oil lamp balanced evenly. It must be carried between the great assembly and the beauty of the country. And a man with a drawn sword will follow right behind you. Wherever you drop even a little, there your head will fall.
What do you think would that man, neglecting that oil lamp, bring in negligence from outside?
No, venerable sir.
This is a simile made by me for the purpose of conveying a meaning.
Here is the meaning: An oil lamp balanced evenly is a term for mindfulness immersed in the body.
Therefore you should train thus: Mindfulness immersed in the body will be developed and cultivated by us, made much of, made a vehicle, made a basis, established, consolidated, and properly undertaken. Thus should you train.