While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to a young disgruntled monk who was the son of a banker.

While the Buddha was in residence at Savatthi, a banker's son approached an elder who came to his house for alms and asked how he might obtain release from suffering. The elder told him to give alms-food, fortnightly food, lodging during the rains, bowls, robes, and other requisites, dividing his possessions into three parts: one for his business, one to support his wife and son, and one to give in alms in the religion of the Buddha.

The banker's son did all this, then asked if there was anything else he ought to do. The elder told him to take up the three refuges and the five precepts, and later the ten precepts, which he did each time. Because he had performed these works of merit one after another, he came to be called Anupubba.

Asking once more if there was anything further, the elder told him to become a monk, and the banker's son immediately retired from the world and was ordained.

He now had a teacher versed in the Abhidhamma and a preceptor versed in the Vinaya, both of whom constantly quizzed him on what was lawful and unlawful, proper and improper. After a time he thought to himself, "What a wearisome task this is! I became a monk to obtain release from suffering, but here there is not even room to stretch out my hands. It is possible to obtain release from suffering even as a householder. I should return to lay life."

The Buddha asked him, "Monk, are you discontented?" He admitted that he was, explaining his reasoning. The Buddha replied, "Monk, if you can guard one thing, it will not be necessary for you to guard the rest." Asked what that one thing was, the Buddha said, "Can you guard your thoughts?" The monk answered that he could, and the Buddha told him, "Then guard your thoughts alone."