The Buddha advised that the sangha (monastic community) should reside not too far and not too near to the village—just far enough to maintain a balance between solitude and connection.
This guidance appears in the Vinaya Pitaka and other early texts. The idea is:
• Not too far, so that:
• Monks can go on daily alms rounds (pindapata) without undue hardship.
• Laypeople can visit, offer support, and receive teachings.
• The sangha stays meaningfully connected to the world, as part of its compassionate mission.
• Not too near, so that:
• The monks are not distracted or entangled in worldly affairs.
• They can maintain quietude, mindfulness, and detachment—key for meditation and spiritual practice.
• A space of contemplative seclusion is preserved.
In practice, this often meant on the edge of a village or town, or in a nearby forest or grove—a liminal space between society and wilderness. The Buddha himself often stayed in such places, like Jetavana Grove or Veluvana Bamboo Grove, which were offered by lay supporters but located just outside the city.
So the answer is not a fixed distance in miles or yojanas, but a principle of balance:
Close enough to serve; far enough to see.
Would you like to reflect further on how this principle might translate into contemporary life—for example, for a modern-day seeker or practitioner?
