When you study this Saṅkhitta Sutta or discourse (AN 8.53, A iv 280) carefully, you will see what kind of Dhamma or doctrine the monastic personnel who live homeless lives should carry out and put into practice in their walks along the path to enlightenment or Nirvana.
On one occasion, the Bhagavā (a common title of the Buddha) was dwelling at Vesāli, in the Great Forest, in the Hall with the Peaked Roof. Then, Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī approached the Bhagavā; having drawn near, she paid homage to the Bhagavā and stood on one side. Standing on one side, Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī addressed the Bhagavā thus:
– It would be good, Bhante, if the Bhagavā taught me the Dhamma in brief, so that, having heard the Dhamma from the Bhagavā, I may dwell solitary, secluded, diligent, ardent and resolute.
– Of these dhammas, Gotami, of which you may know: 'These dhammas are conducive to passion, not to virāga; conducive to being fettered, not to being unfettered; conducive to accumulation, not to diminution; conducive to mahicchata , not to appicchata; conducive to dissatisfaction, not to satisfaction; conducive to socialization, not to solitude; conducive to laziness, not to application of vīriya; conducive to being burdensome, not to being non-burdensome', you can definitely hold: 'This is not the Dhamma, this is not the Vinaya, this is not the instruction of the Teacher'.
Of these dhammas, Gotami, of which you may know: 'These dhammas are conducive to virāga (eradication of lust or sensual pleasures), not to passion; conducive to being unfettered, not to being fettered; conducive to diminution, not to accumulation; conducive to appicchata (moderation and modesty), not to mahicchata (greater desires and ambition); conducive to satisfaction, not to dissatisfaction; conducive to solitude, not to socialization; conducive to application of vīriya (effort), not to laziness; conducive to being non-burdensome, not to being burdensome', you can definitely hold: 'This is the Dhamma, this is the Vinaya, this is the instruction of the Teacher'.
