Wholesome Friendship, Wholesome Companionship, Wholesome Comradeship

On one occasion, Great King, I was living among the Sakyans, where there is a town of the Sakyans named Nagaraka. Then the Monk Ānanda approached me, paid homage (respect) to me, sat down to one side, and said:

'Venerable Sir, this is half of the holy life, that is: wholesome friendship, wholesome companionship, wholesome comradeship.'

When this was said, Great King, I told the Monk Ānanda:

Not so, Ānanda! Not so, Ānanda! This is the entire holy life, Ānanda, that is, wholesome friendship, wholesome companionship, wholesome comradeship. When a Monk has a wholesome friend, wholesome companion, a wholesome comrade, it is to be predicted that he will develop and cultivate The Noble Eight Fold Path.

(Reference: SN 3.18)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares the importance of developing wholesome relationships as a positive influence for one to progress on The Path to Enlightenment.

If a Practitioner makes wise choices in their friendships and associates looking to cultivate wholesome relationships, they will find their mind will have a tendency to lean towards wholesome moral conduct and activities, thus, improving one’s life practice.

Conversely, if a Practitioner makes unwise choices in their friends and associates looking to cultivate unwholesome relationships, they will find their mind will have a tendency to lean towards unwholesome moral conduct and activities, thus, negatively influencing one’s decision making and life practice.

Including in your life encouraging, supporting, and motivating relationships is ideal for a Practitioner to develop their life practice and for the mutual encouragement, support, and motivation for the attainment of Enlightenment.