‘Venerable Nāgasena, that one quality of the house-pigeon you say he ought to take, which is it?’

‘Just, O king, as the house-pigeon, while dwelling in the abode of others, of men, does not become enamoured of anything that belongs to them, but remains neutral, taking notice only of things pertaining to birds; just so, O king, should the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, while resorting to other people’s houses, never become enamoured of women or of men, of beds, or chairs, or garments, or jewelry, or things for use or enjoyment, or various forms of food that are there, but remain neutral always, addicted only to such ideas as become a recluse. This, O king, is the quality of the house-pigeon he ought to have. For it was said, O king, by the Blessed One, the god over all gods, in the culla ṇānada Jātaka:

“Frequenting people’s homes for food or drink,
In food and drink alike be temperate,
And let not beauty’s form attract thy thoughts “’