[k1ePRlda]

Help is needed here.

This Sutta seems to tell that 'the holy life is lived without a pupil and without a teacher'.

Why the Buddha is teaching that in absence of a pupil and in absence of a teacher demerit thoughts do not assail?

The main reasoning of the sutta seems to be that of mindfulness of the six senses.

If 'pupil' and 'teacher' are metaphors, what do these mean?

34. 15. 6.
(151). Antevàsi Ý Pupil

3. ßMonks, the holy life is lived without a pupil and without a teacher.

4. Monks, with a pupil and with a teacher the monk is unpleasant does not have a light living. Without a pupil and without a teacher the monk is pleasant has a light living

5. ßMonks, how is the monk, with a pupil and with a teacher unpleasant, does not have a light living?

6-10 [...]

11. ßAgain, monks, to the monk cognizing an idea, evil demerit thoughts arise recalling his bonds and thoughts. Those evil thoughts live in him raining evil demerit. Therefore it is said he is with a pupil. Those evil demerit thoughts assail him therefore it is said, with a teacher.

12. ßTherefore, monks, the monk with a pupil and with a teacher is unpleasant, does not have a light living.

13. ßMonks, how is the monk, without a pupil and without a teacher pleasant, have a light living?

14-18. [...]

19. ßAgain, monks, to the monk cognizing an idea evil demerit thoughts do not arise recalling his bonds and thoughts. Evil thoughts do not live in him raining evil demerit. Therefore it is said he is without a pupil. Evil demerit thoughts do not assail him therefore it is said, without a teacher.

20. ßTherefore monks, the monk, without a pupil and without a teacher is pleasant, has a light living. Monks, to this is said living the holy life without a pupil and without a teacher.

21. ßMonks, with a pupil and with a teacher the monk is unpleasant does not have a light living. Without a pupil and without a teacher the monk is pleasant has a light living.

Navapuranavaggo: Atevasika Sutta