At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time there was a certain mendicant who was Senior in name only. He lived alone and praised living alone. He entered the village for alms alone, returned alone, sat in private alone, and focussed on walking mindfully alone. Then several mendicants went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, there’s a certain mendicant who is Senior in name only. He lives alone and praises living alone.”

So the Buddha addressed one of the monks, “Please, monk, in my name tell the mendicant Senior that the Teacher summons him.” “Yes, sir,” that monk replied. He went to Venerable Senior and said to him, “Reverend Senior, the Teacher summons you.” “Yes, reverend,” that monk replied. He went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him: “Is it really true, Senior, that you live alone and praise living alone?” “Yes, sir.” “But in what way do you live alone and praise living alone?” “Well, sir, I enter the village for alms alone, return alone, sit in private alone, and focus on walking mindfully alone. That’s how I live alone and praise living alone.”