The meaning of living alone in Buddhism

S. 21:10       

          When the Blessed One was living at Rajagaha, a bikkhu called Thera lived alone and recommended living alone; he went into the village for alms alone, sat in private alone, and walked up and down alone.  Then a number of Bhikkhus went to the Blessed One and told him about this.  The Bless One sent for him and asked if it was true.  He replied that it was.  The Blessed One said:  “There is that kind of living alone, Thera, I do not say that there is not.  Nevertheless, hear how living alone is perfected in detail, and heed well what I shall say.”

      
    “Yes, Lord,”  the venerable Thera replied.  The Blessed One said:  “And how is living alone perfected in detail?  Here, Thera, what is past is left behind, what is future is renounced, and lust and desire for the selfhood acquired in the present is quite put away.  That is how living alone is perfected in detail.”

So the Blessed One said.  The Sublime One having said this, the Master said father:

          A sagely all-transcender, an all-knower,

          Unsullied in all things, renouncing all,

          By craving’s ceasing freed:  him do I call

          A man who lives alone and to perfection.

Copied from the book “The Life of The Buddha” by Bikkhu Nanamoli.

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