here the Buddha reminds Soṃa Koḍivisa—who had been over-exerting himself in the practice—that a lute sounds appealing only if the strings are neither too taut nor too lax, but "evenly" tuned. This image would have special resonances with the Buddha's teaching on the middle way. It also adds meaning to the term samaṃa—monk or contemplative—which the texts frequently mention as being derived from sama. The word sṅmaā±ā±a—"evenness," the quality of being in tune—also means the quality of being a contemplative: The true contemplative is always in tune with what is proper and good. See also: MN 19; MN 24; MN 95; MN 121; AN 3:66; AN 4:115; AN 5:140; AN 7:80; AN 8:53; Iti 25 - --> - - - -