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The Buddha's words ອັງຄຸຕຕະຣະນິກາຍ ສັຕຕະກະ-ອັຕຖະກະ-ນະວະກະນິບາຕ ໒໓/໓໑໒/໒໒໒ ພິກຂຸທັງຫລາຍ! ອຸໂປສົຖປະກອບດ້ວຍອົງຄ໌ ໙ ປະກາຣ ອັນບຸຄຄົລຮັກສາແລ້ວ ຍ່ອມມີຜົລຫລາຍ ມີອານິສົງສ໌ຫລາຍ ມີຄວາມຮຸ່ງເຮືອງຫລາຍ ມີຄວາມແພ່ໄພສາລຫລາຍ. ພິກຂຸທັງຫລາຍ! ກໍອຸໂປສົຖປະກອບດ້ວຍອົງຄ໌ ໙ ປະກາຣ ອັນບຸຄຄົລຮັກສາແລ້ວຢ່າງໃດ ຈຶ່ງມີຜົລຫລາຍ ມີອານິສົງສ໌ຫລາຍ ມີຄວາມຮຸ່ງເຮືອງຫລາຍ ມີຄວາມແພ່ໄພສາລຫລາຍ? ພິກຂຸທັງຫລາຍ! ອະຣິຍະສາວົກໃນທັມວິນັຍນີ້ ຮູ້ຊັດຢ່າງນີ້ວ່າ ພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍລະປານາຕິບາຕ ງົດເວັ້ນຈາກປານາຕິບາຕ ວາງທ່ອນໄມ້ ວາງສັສຕຣາ ມີຄວາມລະອາຍ ເຖິງພ້ອມດ້ວຍຄວາມເອັນດູ ອະນຸເຄາະເກື້ອກູນແກ່ສັຕທັງປວງຢູ່ ຕລອດຊີວິຕ; ໃນວັນນີ້ ເຮົາກໍລະປານາຕິບາຕ ງົດເວັ້ນຈາກປານາຕິບາຕ ວາງທ່ອນໄມ້ ວາງສັສຕຣາ ມີຄວາມລະອາຍ ເຖິງພ້ອມດ້ວຍຄວາມເອັນດູ ອະນຸເຄາະເກື້ອກູນແກ່ສັຕທັງປວງຢູ່ຕລອດຄືນໜຶ່ງກັບວັນໜຶ່ງ, ດ້ວຍປະກາຣຢ່າງນີ້ ເຮົາກໍຊື່ວ່າ ກະທໍາຕາມພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍ ແລະອຸໂປສົຖປະກາຣທີ ໑ ກໍຊື່ວ່າ ເຮົາໄດ້ສະມາທານຮັກສາແລ້ວ. ພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍລະອະທິນນາທານ, ງົດເວັ້ນຈາກອະທິນນາທານ, ຖືເອົາແຕ່ສິ່ງຂອງທີ່ເຂົາໃຫ້ ຫວັງແຕ່ສິ່ງຂອງທີ່ເຂົາໃຫ້ ບໍ່ເປັນຂະໂມຍ ເປັນຜູ້ສະອາດຢູ່ຕລອດຊີວິຕ; ໃນວັນນີ້ ເຮົາກໍລະອະທິນນາທານ, ງົດເວັ້ນຈາກອະທິນນາທານ, ຖືເອົາແຕ່ສິ່ງຂອງທີ່ເຂົາໃຫ້ ຫວັງແຕ່ສິ່ງຂອງທີ່ເຂົາໃຫ້ ບໍ່ເປັນຂະໂມຍ ເປັນຜູ້ສະອາດຢູ່ຕລອດຄືນໜຶ່ງກັບວັນໜຶ່ງ, ດ້ວຍປະກາຣຢ່າງນີ້ ເຮົາກໍຊື່ວ່າ ກະທຳຕາມພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍ ແລະອຸໂປສົຖປະກາຣທີ ໒ ກໍຊື່ວ່າ ເຮົາໄດ້ສະມາທານຮັກສາແລ້ວ. ພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍ ລະອະພຣົມມະຈັນຍ໌ ປະພຶຕພຣົມມະຈັນຍ໌ ປະພຶຕຫ່າງໄກ ເວັ້ນຈາກເມຖຸນອັນເປັນທັມຂອງຊາວບ້ານຕລອດຊີວິຕ; ໃນວັນນີ້ ເຮົາກໍລະອະພຣົມມະຈັນຍ໌ ປະພຶຕພຣົມມະຈັນຍ໌ ປະພຶຕຫ່າງໄກ ເວັ້ນຈາກເມຖຸນອັນເປັນທັມຂອງຊາວບ້ານຕລອດຄືນໜຶ່ງກັບວັນໜຶ່ງ ດ້ວຍປະກາຣຢ່າງນີ້ ເຮົາກໍຊື່ວ່າ ກະທຳຕາມພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍ ແລະອຸໂປສົຖປະກາຣທີ ໓ ກໍຊື່ວ່າ ເຮົາໄດ້ສະມາທານຮັກສາແລ້ວ. ພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍ ລະມຸສາວາທ ງົດເວັ້ນຈາກມຸສາວາທ ເວົ້າແຕ່ຄຳຈິງ ດຳຣົງຄຳສັຈ ມີຖ້ອຍຄຳທີ່ເຊື່ອຖືໄດ້ ບໍ່ກ່າວໃຫ້ຄາດເຄື່ອນຈາກຄວາມຈິງແກ່ໂລກຕລອດຊີວິຕ; ໃນວັນນີ້ ເຮົາກໍລະມຸສາວາທ ງົດເວັ້ນຈາກມຸສາວາທ ເວົ້າແຕ່ຄຳຈິງ ດຳຣົງຄວາມສັຈ ມີຖ້ອຍຄຳທີ່ເຊື່ອຖືໄດ້ ບໍ່ກ່າວໃຫ້ຄາດເຄື່ອນຈາກຄວາມຈິງແກ່ໂລກຕລອດຄືນໜຶ່ງກັບວັນໜຶ່ງ, ດ້ວຍປະກາຣຢ່າງນີ້ ເຮົາກໍຊື່ວ່າ ກະທຳຕາມພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍ ແລະອຸໂປສົຖປະກາຣທີ ໔ ກໍຊື່ວ່າ ເຮົາໄດ້ສະມາທານຮັກສາແລ້ວ. ພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍລະສຸຣາເມຣັຍແລະສິ່ງມຶນເມົາ ອັນເປັນທີ່ຕັ້ງແຫ່ງຄວາມປະມາທ ງົດເວັ້ນຈາກສຸຣາເມຣັຍແລະສິ່ງມຶນເມົາ ອັນເປັນທີ່ຕັ້ງແຫ່ງຄວາມປະມາທຕລອດຊີວິຕ; ໃນວັນນີ້ ເຮົາກໍລະສຸຣາເມຣັຍແລະສິ່ງມຶນເມົາ ອັນເປັນທີ່ຕັ້ງແຫ່ງຄວາມປະມາທ ງົດເວັ້ນຈາກສຸຣາເມຣັຍແລະສິ່ງມຶນເມົາ ອັນເປັນທີ່ຕັ້ງແຫ່ງຄວາມປະມາທຕລອດຄືນໜຶ່ງກັບວັນໜຶ່ງ, ດ້ວຍປະກາຣຢ່າງນີ້, ເຮົາກໍຊື່ວ່າ ກະທໍາຕາມພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍ ແລະອຸໂປສົຖປະກາຣທີ ໕ ກໍຊື່ວ່າ ເຮົາໄດ້ສະມາທານຮັກສາແລ້ວ. ພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍເປັນຜູ້ບໍຣິໂພຄອາຫາຣຄັ້ງດຽວ ງົດກາຣບໍຣິໂພຄໃນຣາຕຣີ, ເວັ້ນຈາກກາຣບໍຣິໂພຄອາຫາຣໃນເວລາວິກາລຢູ່ຕລອດຊີວິຕ; ໃນວັນນີ້ ເຮົາກໍບໍຣິໂພຄອາຫາຣຄັ້ງດຽວ ງົດກາຣບໍຣິໂພຄໃນຣາຕຣີ, ເວັ້ນຈາກກາຣບໍຣິໂພຄອາຫາຣໃນເວລາວິກາລຢູ່ຕລອດຄືນໜຶ່ງກັບວັນໜຶ່ງ, ດ້ວຍປະກາຣຢ່າງນີ້, ເຮົາກໍຊື່ວ່າ ກະທໍາຕາມພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍ ແລະອຸໂປສົຖປະກາຣທີ ໖ ກໍຊື່ວ່າ ເຮົາໄດ້ສະມາທານຮັກສາແລ້ວ. ພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍງົດເວັ້ນຈາກກາຣຟ້ອນລຳ ຂັບຮ້ອງ ປະໂຄມດົນຕຣີ ເບິ່ງກາຣຫລິ້ນອັນເປັນຂ້າເສິກແກ່ກຸສົລ ແລະກາຣປະດັບຕົກແຕ່ງດ້ວຍດອກໄມ້ຂອງຫອມ ເຄື່ອງລູບທາອັນເປັນຖານແຫ່ງກາຣແຕ່ງໂຕຕລອດຊີວິຕ; ໃນວັນນີ້ ເຮົາກໍງົດເວັ້ນຈາກກາຣຟ້ອນລຳ ຂັບຮ້ອງ ປະໂຄມດົນຕຣີ ເບິ່ງກາຣຫລິ້ນອັນເປັນຂ້າເສິກແກ່ກຸສົລ ແລະກາຣປະດັບຕົກແຕ່ງດ້ວຍດອກໄມ້ຂອງຫອມ ເຄື່ອງລູບທາອັນເປັນຖານແຫ່ງກາຣແຕ່ງໂຕຕລອດຄືນໜຶ່ງກັບວັນໜຶ່ງ, ດ້ວຍປະກາຣຢ່າງນີ້, ເຮົາກໍຊື່ວ່າ ກະທໍາຕາມພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍ ແລະອຸໂປສົຖປະກາຣທີ ໗ ກໍຊື່ວ່າ ເຮົາໄດ້ສະມາທານຮັກສາແລ້ວ. ພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍລະທີ່ນອນອັນສູງໃຫຍ່ ງົດເວັ້ນຈາກທີ່ນອນອັນສູງໃຫຍ່ ສຳເຣັຈກາຣນອນໃນທີ່ນອນອັນຕ່ຳ ຄືເທິງຕຽງ ຫລືເຄື່ອງປູດ້ວຍຫຍ້າຕລອດຊີວິຕ; ໃນວັນນີ້ ເຮົາກໍລະທີ່ນອນອັນສູງໃຫຍ່ ງົດເວັ້ນຈາກທີ່ນອນອັນສູງໃຫຍ່ ສຳເຣັຈກາຣນອນໃນທີ່ນອນອັນຕ່ຳ ຄືເທິງຕຽງ ຫລືເຄື່ອງປູດ້ວຍຫຍ້າຕລອດຄືນໜຶ່ງກັບວັນໜຶ່ງ, ດ້ວຍປະກາຣຢ່າງນີ້, ເຮົາກໍຊື່ວ່າ ກະທໍາຕາມພຣະອະຣະຫັນຕ໌ທັງຫລາຍ ແລະອຸໂປສົຖປະກາຣທີ ໘ ກໍຊື່ວ່າ ເຮົາໄດ້ສະມາທານຮັກສາແລ້ວ. ບຸຄຄົລມີໃຈປະກອບດ້ວຍເມຕຕາ ແຜ່ໄປຕລອດທິສທີໜຶ່ງຢູ່ ທິສທີສອງ ທິສທີສາມ ທິສທີສີ່ກໍເໝືອນກັນ ທັງເບື້ອງເທິງ ເບື້ອງລຸ່ມ ເບື້ອງຂວາງ ແຜ່ໄປຕລອດໂລກທັງປວງ ທົ່ວສັຕທຸກເຫລົ່າໃນທີ່ທຸກສະຖານ ດ້ວຍໃຈປະກອບດ້ວຍເມຕຕາ ອັນໄພບູນ ຍິ່ງໃຫຍ່ ຫາປະມານບໍ່ໄດ້ ບໍ່ມີເວຣ ບໍ່ມີພະຍາບາທຢູ່ ອຸໂປສົຖຊື່ວ່າ ປະກອບດ້ວຍອົງຄ໌ທີ ໙ ດ້ວຍປະກາຣດັ່ງນີ້ແລ. ພິກຂຸທັງຫລາຍ! ອຸໂປສົຖປະກອບດ້ວຍອົງຄ໌ ໙ ປະກາຣນີ້ແລ ອັນບຸຄຄົລຮັກສາແລ້ວ ຍ່ອມມີຜົລຫລາຍ ມີອານິສົງສ໌ຫລາຍ ມີຄວາມຮຸ່ງເຮືອງຫລາຍ ມີຄວາມແພ່ໄພສາລຫລາຍ.

The Buddha's words Navaṅguposathasutta from Tipitaka_Pali_Reader Sitting meditation under a tree “Monks, an Uposatha observed, endowed with nine qualities, is of great fruit, great benefit, great splendor, and great pervasiveness. How, monks, is an Uposatha observed, endowed with nine qualities, of great fruit, great benefit, great splendor, and great pervasiveness? Here, monks, a noble disciple reflects thus: ‘Throughout their lives, Arahants abandon the taking of life, abstaining from the taking of life, having laid aside stick and weapon, conscientious, compassionate, dwelling with sympathy for all living beings; today, for this night and this day, I too abandon the taking of life, abstaining from the taking of life, having laid aside stick and weapon, conscientious, compassionate, dwelling with sympathy for all living beings. By this quality, I emulate the Arahants; and my Uposatha will be observed.’ He is endowed with this first quality. ‘As long as they live, Arahants abandon taking what is not given, abstaining from taking what is not given, taking only what is given, expecting only what is given, and they dwell with a pure self, free from theft. Today, for this night and this day, I abandon taking what is not given, abstaining from taking what is not given, taking only what is given, expecting only what is given, and I dwell with a pure self, free from theft. By this factor, I emulate the Arahants, and my Uposatha will be observed.’ He is endowed with this second quality. ‘As long as they live, Arahants abandon unchastity, observing chastity, keeping aloof, abstaining from sexual conduct, the village custom. Today, for this night and this day, I abandon unchastity, observing chastity, keeping aloof, abstaining from sexual conduct, the village custom. By this factor, I emulate the Arahants, and my Uposatha will be observed.’ He is endowed with this third quality. ‘As long as they live, Arahants abandon false speech, abstaining from false speech, speaking truth, truthful in their words, firm, reliable, not deceiving the world. Today, for this night and this day, I abandon false speech, abstaining from false speech, speaking truth, truthful in my words, firm, reliable, not deceiving the world. By this factor, I emulate the Arahants, and my Uposatha will be observed.’ He is endowed with this fourth quality. ‘As long as they live, Arahants abandon the taking of intoxicants, abstaining from the taking of intoxicants, which is a cause for heedlessness. Today, for this night and this day, I abandon the taking of intoxicants, abstaining from the taking of intoxicants, which is a cause for heedlessness. By this factor, I emulate the Arahants, and my Uposatha will be observed.’ He is endowed with this fifth quality. ‘As long as they live, Arahants eat once a day, abstaining from food at night, refraining from untimely meals. Today, for this night and this day, I eat once a day, abstaining from food at night, refraining from untimely meals. By this factor, I emulate the Arahants, and my Uposatha will be observed.’ He is endowed with this sixth quality. ‘As long as they live, Arahants abandon dancing, singing, music, and unseemly shows; wearing garlands, perfumes, and ointments; and using ornaments and embellishments, abstaining from these. Today, for this night and this day, I abandon dancing, singing, music, and unseemly shows; wearing garlands, perfumes, and ointments; and using ornaments and embellishments, abstaining from these. By this factor, I emulate the Arahants, and my Uposatha will be observed.’ He is endowed with this seventh quality. ‘Throughout their lives, Arahants abandon high and luxurious beds and seats, abstaining from high and luxurious beds and seats, and make low beds – on a couch or on a mat of grass; today, for this night and this day, I too abandon high and luxurious beds and seats, abstaining from high and luxurious beds and seats, and make a low bed – on a couch or on a mat of grass. By this quality, I emulate the Arahants; and my Uposatha will be observed.’ He is endowed with this eighth quality. He dwells pervading one direction with a mind imbued with loving-kindness, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth. Thus, above, below, around, everywhere, in all circumstances, he dwells pervading the entire world with a mind imbued with loving-kindness, vast, expansive, immeasurable, without hostility, without ill-will. He is endowed with this ninth quality. Monks, an Uposatha observed in this way, endowed with nine qualities, is of great fruit, great benefit, great splendor, and great pervasiveness.”

The Buddha's words Kimatthiyasutta SN 45.5 https://suttacentral.net/sn45.5 Photo by Javier Saint Jean on Unsplash At Savatthī. Then a number of bhikkhus approached the Blessed One…. Sitting to one side, those bhikkhus said to the Blessed One: “Here, venerable sir, wanderers of other sects ask us: ‘For what purpose, friends, is the holy life lived under the ascetic Gotama?’ When we are asked thus, venerable sir, we answer those wanderers thus: ‘It is, friends, for the full understanding of suffering that the holy life is lived under the Blessed One.’ We hope, venerable sir, that when we answer thus we state what has been said by the Blessed One and do not misrepresent him with what is contrary to fact; that we explain in accordance with the Dhamma, and that no reasonable consequence of our assertion gives ground for criticism.” “Surely, bhikkhus, when you answer thus you state what has been said by me and do not misrepresent me with what is contrary to fact; you explain in accordance with the Dhamma, and no reasonable consequence of your assertion gives ground for criticism. For, bhikkhus, it is for the full understanding of suffering that the holy life is lived under me. “If, bhikkhus, wanderers of other sects ask you: ‘But, friends, is there a path, is there a way for the full understanding of this suffering? ’—being asked thus, you should answer them thus: ‘There is a path, friends, there is a way for the full understanding of this suffering.’ “And what, bhikkhus, is that path, what is that way for the full understanding of this suffering? It is this Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. This is the path, this is the way for the full understanding of this suffering. “Being asked thus, bhikkhus, you should answer those wanderers of other sects in such a way.”

The Buddha's words Saddhasutta AN 5.38 https://suttacentral.net/an5.38 Meditation practice in the forest “Bhikkhus, these five benefits come to a clansman endowed with faith. What five? When the good persons in the world show compassion, they first show compassion to the person with faith, not so to the person without faith. When they approach anyone, they first approach the person with faith, not so the person without faith. When they receive alms, they first receive alms from the person with faith, not so from the person without faith. When they teach the Dhamma, they first teach the Dhamma to the person with faith, not so to the person without faith. With the breakup of the body, after death, a person with faith is reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world. These are the five benefits that come to a clansman who has faith. “Just as at a crossroads on level ground, a great banyan tree becomes the resort for birds all around, so the clansman endowed with faith becomes the resort for many people: for bhikkhus, bhikkhunīs, male lay followers, and female lay followers.” A large tree with a mighty trunk, branches, leaves, and fruit, firm roots, and bearing fruit, is a support for many birds. Having flown across the sky, the birds resort to this delightful base: those in need of shade partake of its shade; those needing fruit enjoy its fruit. Just so, when a person is virtuous, endowed with faith, of humble manner, compliant, gentle, welcoming, soft, those in the world who are fields of merit— devoid of lust and hatred, devoid of delusion, taintless— resort to such a person. They teach him the Dhamma that dispels all suffering, having understood which the taintless one here attains nibbāna.

The Buddha's words Sīlasutta SN 46.3 https://suttacentral.net/sn46.3 Developing concentration “Bhikkhus, those bhikkhus who are accomplished in virtue, accomplished in concentration, accomplished in wisdom, accomplished in liberation, accomplished in the knowledge and vision of liberation: even the sight of those bhikkhus is helpful, I say; even listening to them … even approaching them … even attending on them … even recollecting them … even going forth after them is helpful, I say. For what reason? Because when one has heard the Dhamma from such bhikkhus one dwells withdrawn by way of two kinds of withdrawal—withdrawal of body and withdrawal of mind. “Dwelling thus withdrawn, one recollects that Dhamma and thinks it over. Whenever, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwelling thus withdrawn recollects that Dhamma and thinks it over, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of mindfulness is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of mindfulness; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of mindfulness comes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu. “Dwelling thus mindfully, he discriminates that Dhamma with wisdom, examines it, makes an investigation of it. Whenever, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwelling thus mindfully discriminates that Dhamma with wisdom, examines it, makes an investigation of it, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of discrimination of states is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of discrimination of states; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of discrimination of states comes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu. “While he discriminates that Dhamma with wisdom, examines it, makes an investigation of it, his energy is aroused without slackening. Whenever, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu’s energy is aroused without slackening as he discriminates that Dhamma with wisdom, examines it, makes an investigation of it, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of energy is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of energy; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of energy comes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu. “When his energy is aroused, there arises in him spiritual rapture. Whenever, bhikkhus, spiritual rapture arises in a bhikkhu whose energy is aroused, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of rapture is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of rapture; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of rapture comes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu. “For one whose mind is uplifted by rapture the body becomes tranquil and the mind becomes tranquil. Whenever, bhikkhus, the body becomes tranquil and the mind becomes tranquil in a bhikkhu whose mind is uplifted by rapture, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of tranquillity is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of tranquillity; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of tranquillity comes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu. “For one whose body is tranquil and who is happy the mind becomes concentrated. Whenever, bhikkhus, the mind becomes concentrated in a bhikkhu whose body is tranquil and who is happy, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of concentration is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of concentration; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of concentration comes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu. “He closely looks on with equanimity at the mind thus concentrated. Whenever, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu closely looks on with equanimity at the mind thus concentrated, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of equanimity is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of equanimity; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of equanimity comes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu. “Bhikkhus, when these seven factors of enlightenment have been developed and cultivated in this way, seven fruits and benefits may be expected. What are the seven fruits and benefits? “One attains final knowledge early in this very life. “If one does not attain final knowledge early in this very life, then one attains final knowledge at the time of death. “If one does not attain final knowledge early in this very life or at the time of death, then with the utter destruction of the five lower fetters one becomes an attainer of Nibbāna in the interval. “If one does not attain final knowledge early in this very life … or become an attainer of Nibbāna in the interval, then with the utter destruction of the five lower fetters one becomes an attainer of Nibbāna upon landing. “If one does not attain final knowledge early in this very life … … or become an attainer of Nibbāna upon landing, then with the utter destruction of the five lower fetters one becomes an attainer of Nibbāna without exertion. “If one does not attain final knowledge early in this very life … or become an attainer of Nibbāna without exertion, then with the utter destruction of the five lower fetters one becomes an attainer of Nibbāna with exertion. “If one does not attain final knowledge early in this very life … or become an attainer of Nibbāna with exertion, then with the utter destruction of the five lower fetters one becomes one bound upstream, heading towards the Akaniṭṭha realm. “When, bhikkhus, the seven factors of enlightenment have been developed and cultivated in this way, these seven fruits and benefits may be expected.”

The Buddha's words Mahācattārīsakasutta MN 117 https://suttacentral.net/mn117 THUS HAVE I HEARD. On one occasion the Blessed One was living at Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. There he addressed the bhikkhus thus: “Bhikkhus.”—“Venerable sir,” they replied. The Blessed One said this: “Bhikkhus, I shall teach you noble right concentration with its supports and its requisites. Listen and attend closely to what I shall say.”—“Yes, venerable sir,” the bhikkhus replied. The Blessed One said this: “What, bhikkhus, is noble right concentration with its supports and its requisites, that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, and right mindfulness? Unification of mind equipped with these seven factors is called noble right concentration with its supports and its requisites. View “Therein, bhikkhus, right view comes first. And how does right view come first? One understands wrong view as wrong view and right view as right view: this is one’s right view. “And what, bhikkhus, is wrong view? ‘There is nothing given, nothing offered, nothing sacrificed; no fruit or result of good and bad actions; no this world, no other world; no mother, no father; no beings who are reborn spontaneously; no good and virtuous recluses and brahmins in the world who have realised for themselves by direct knowledge and declare this world and the other world.’ This is wrong view. “And what, bhikkhus, is right view? Right view, I say, is twofold: there is right view that is affected by taints, partaking of merit, ripening in the acquisitions; and there is right view that is noble, taintless, supramundane, a factor of the path. “And what, bhikkhus, is right view that is affected by the taints, partaking of merit, ripening in the acquisitions? ‘There is what is given and what is offered and what is sacrificed; there is fruit and result of good and bad actions; there is this world and the other world; there is mother and father; there are beings who are reborn spontaneously; there are in the world good and virtuous recluses and brahmins who have realised for themselves by direct knowledge and declare this world and the other world.’ This is right view affected by taints, partaking of merit, ripening in the acquisitions. “And what, bhikkhus, is right view that is noble, taintless, supramundane, a factor of the path? The wisdom, the faculty of wisdom, the power of wisdom, the investigation-of-states enlightenment factor, the path factor of right view in one whose mind is noble, whose mind is taintless, who possesses the noble path and is developing the noble path: this is right view that is noble, taintless, supramundane, a factor of the path. “One makes an effort to abandon wrong view and to enter upon right view: this is one’s right effort. Mindfully one abandons wrong view, mindfully one enters upon and abides in right view: this is one’s right mindfulness. Thus these three states run and circle around right view, that is, right view, right effort, and right mindfulness. Intention “Therein, bhikkhus, right view comes first. And how does right view come first? One understands wrong intention as wrong intention and right intention as right intention: this is one’s right view. “And what, bhikkhus, is wrong intention? The intention of sensual desire, the intention of ill will, and the intention of cruelty: this is wrong intention. “And what, bhikkhus, is right intention? Right intention, I say, is twofold: there is right intention that is affected by taints, partaking of merit, ripening in the acquisitions, and there is right intention that is noble, taintless, supramundane, a factor of the path. “And what, bhikkhus, is right intention that is affected by taints, partaking of merit, ripening in the acquisitions? The intention of renunciation, the intention of non-ill will, and the intention of non-cruelty: this is right intention that is affected by taints…ripening in the acquisitions. “And what, bhikkhus, is right intention that is noble, taintless, supramundane, a factor of the path? The thinking, thought, intention, mental absorption, mental fixity, directing of mind, verbal formation in one whose mind is noble, whose mind is taintless, who possesses the noble path and is developing the noble path: this is right intention that is noble…a factor of the path. “One makes an effort to abandon wrong intention and to enter upon right intention: this is one’s right effort. Mindfully one abandons wrong intention, mindfully one enters upon and abides in right intention: this is one’s right mindfulness. Thus these three states run and circle around right intention, that is, right view, right effort, and right mindfulness. Speech “Therein, bhikkhus, right view comes first. And how does right view come first? One understands wrong speech as wrong speech and right speech as right speech: this is one’s right view. “And what, bhikkhus, is wrong speech? False speech, malicious speech, harsh speech, and gossip: this is wrong speech. “And what, bhikkhus, is right speech? Right speech, I say, is twofold: there is right speech that is affected by taints, partaking of merit, ripening in the acquisitions; and there is right speech that is noble, taintless, supramundane, a factor of the path. “And what, bhikkhus, is right speech that is affected by taints, partaking of merit, ripening in the acquisitions? Abstinence from false speech, abstinence from malicious speech, abstinence from harsh speech, abstinence from gossip: this is right speech that is affected by taints…ripening in the acquisitions. “And what, bhikkhus, is right speech that is noble, taintless, supramundane, a factor of the path? The desisting from the four kinds of verbal misconduct, the abstaining, refraining, abstinence from them in one whose mind is noble, whose mind is taintless, who possesses the noble path and is developing the noble path: this is right speech that is noble…a factor of the path. “One makes an effort to abandon wrong speech and to enter upon right speech: this is one’s right effort. Mindfully one abandons wrong speech, mindfully one enters upon and abides in right speech: this is one’s right mindfulness. Thus these three states run and circle around right speech, that is, right view, right effort, and right mindfulness. Action “Therein, bhikkhus, right view comes first. And how does right view come first? One understands wrong action as wrong action and right action as right action: this is one’s right view. “And what, bhikkhus, is wrong action? Killing living beings, taking what is not given, and misconduct in sensual pleasures: this is wrong action. “And what, bhikkhus, is right action? Right action, I say, is twofold: there is right action that is affected by taints, partaking of merit, ripening in the acquisitions; and there is right action that is noble, taintless, supramundane, a factor of the path. “And what, bhikkhus, is right action that is affected by taints, partaking of merit, ripening in the acquisitions? Abstinence from killing living beings, abstinence from taking what is not given, abstinence from misconduct in sensual pleasures: this is right action that is affected by taints…ripening in the acquisitions. “And what, bhikkhus, is right action that is noble, taintless, supramundane, a factor of the path? The desisting from the three kinds of bodily misconduct, the abstaining, refraining, abstinence from them in one whose mind is noble, whose mind is taintless, who possesses the noble path and is developing the noble path: this is right action that is noble…a factor of the path. “One makes an effort to abandon wrong action and to enter upon right action: this is one’s right effort. Mindfully one abandons wrong action, mindfully one enters upon and dwells in right action: this is one’s right mindfulness. Thus these three states run and circle around right action, that is, right view, right effort, and right mindfulness. Livelihood “Therein, bhikkhus, right view comes first. And how does right view come first? One understands wrong livelihood as wrong livelihood and right livelihood as right livelihood: this is one’s right view. “And what, bhikkhus, is wrong livelihood? Scheming, talking, hinting, belittling, pursuing gain with gain: this is wrong livelihood. “And what, bhikkhus, is right livelihood? Right livelihood, I say, is twofold: there is right livelihood that is affected by taints, partaking of merit, ripening in the acquisitions; and there is right livelihood that is noble, taintless, supramundane, a factor of the path. “And what, bhikkhus, is right livelihood that is affected by taints, partaking of merit, ripening in the acquisitions? Here, bhikkhus, a noble disciple abandons wrong livelihood and gains his living by right livelihood: this is right livelihood that is affected by taints…ripening in the acquisitions. “And what, bhikkhus, is right livelihood that is noble, taintless, supramundane, a factor of the path? The desisting from wrong livelihood, the abstaining, refraining, abstinence from it in one whose mind is noble, whose mind is taintless, who possesses the noble path and is developing the noble path: this is right livelihood that is noble…a factor of the path. “One makes an effort to abandon wrong livelihood and to enter upon right livelihood: this is one’s right effort. Mindfully one abandons wrong livelihood, mindfully one enters upon and dwells in right livelihood: this is one’s right mindfulness. Thus these three states run and circle around right livelihood, that is, right view, right effort, and right mindfulness. The Great Forty “Therein, bhikkhus, right view comes first. And how does right view come first? In one of right view, right intention comes into being; in one of right intention, right speech comes into being; in one of right speech, right action comes into being; in one of right action, right livelihood comes into being; in one of right livelihood, right effort comes into being; in one of right effort, right mindfulness comes into being; in one of right mindfulness, right concentration comes into being; in one of right concentration, right knowledge comes into being; in one of right knowledge, right deliverance comes into being. Thus, bhikkhus, the path of the disciple in higher training possesses eight factors, the arahant possesses ten factors. “Therein, bhikkhus, right view comes first. And how does right view come first? In one of right view, wrong view is abolished, and the many evil unwholesome states that originate with wrong view as condition are also abolished, and the many wholesome states that originate with right view as condition come to fulfilment by development. “In one of right intention, wrong intention is abolished, and the many evil unwholesome states that originate with wrong intention as condition are also abolished, and the many wholesome states that originate with right intention as condition come to fulfilment by development. “In one of right speech, wrong speech is abolished…In one of right action, wrong action is abolished…In one of right livelihood, wrong livelihood is abolished …In one of right effort, wrong effort is abolished…In one of right mindfulness, wrong mindfulness is abolished…In one of right concentration, wrong concentration is abolished…In one of right knowledge, wrong knowledge is abolished…In one of right deliverance, wrong deliverance is abolished, and the many evil unwholesome states that originate with wrong deliverance as condition are also abolished, and the many wholesome states that originate with right deliverance as condition come to fulfilment by development. “Thus, bhikkhus, there are twenty factors on the side of the wholesome, and twenty factors on the side of the unwholesome. This Dhamma discourse on the Great Forty has been set rolling and cannot be stopped by any recluse or brahmin or god or Māra or Brahmā or anyone in the world. “Bhikkhus, if any recluse or brahmin thinks that this Dhamma discourse on the Great Forty should be censured and rejected, then there are ten legitimate deductions from his assertions that would provide grounds for censuring him here and now. If that worthy one censures right view, then he would honour and praise those recluses and brahmins who are of wrong view. If that worthy one censures right intention, then he would honour and praise those recluses and brahmins who are of wrong intention. If that worthy one censures right speech… right action…right livelihood…right effort…right mindfulness…right concentration…right knowledge…right deliverance, then he would honour and praise those recluses and brahmins who are of wrong deliverance. If any recluse or brahmin thinks that this Dhamma discourse on the Great Forty should be censured and rejected, then these are ten legitimate deductions from his assertions that would provide grounds for censuring him here and now. “Bhikkhus, even those teachers from Okkala, Vassa and Bhañña, who held the doctrine of non-causality, the doctrine of non-doing, and the doctrine of nihilism, would not think that this Dhamma discourse on the Great Forty should be censured and rejected. Why is that? For fear of blame, attack, and confutation.” That is what the Blessed One said. The bhikkhus were satisfied and delighted in the Blessed One’s words.

The Buddha's words Ānāpānassatisutta MN 118 https://suttacentral.net/mn118 Introductory Section THUS HAVE I HEARD. On one occasion the Blessed One was living at Sāvatthī in the Eastern Park, in the Palace of Migāra’s Mother, together with many very well known elder disciples—the venerable Sāriputta, the venerable Mahā Moggallāna, the venerable Mahā Kassapa, the venerable Mahā Kaccāna, the venerable Mahā Koṭṭhita, the venerable Mahā Kappina, the venerable Mahā Cunda, the venerable Anuruddha, the venerable Revata, the venerable Ānanda, and other very well known elder disciples. Now on that occasion elder bhikkhus had been teaching and instructing new bhikkhus; some elder bhikkhus had been teaching and instructing ten bhikkhus, some elder bhikkhus had been teaching and instructing twenty…thirty…forty bhikkhus. And the new bhikkhus, taught and instructed by the elder bhikkhus, had achieved successive stages of high distinction. On that occasion—the Uposatha day of the fifteenth, on the full-moon night of the Pavāraṇā ceremony—the Blessed One was seated in the open surrounded by the Sangha of bhikkhus. Then, surveying the silent Sangha of bhikkhus, he addressed them thus: “Bhikkhus, I am content with this progress. My mind is content with this progress. So arouse still more energy to attain the unattained, to achieve the unachieved, to realise the unrealised. I shall wait here at Sāvatthī for the Komudī full moon of the fourth month.” The bhikkhus of the countryside heard: “The Blessed One will wait there at Sāvatthī for the Komudī full moon of the fourth month.” And the bhikkhus of the countryside left in due course for Sāvatthī to see the Blessed One. And elder bhikkhus still more intensively taught and instructed new bhikkhus; some elder bhikkhus taught and instructed ten bhikkhus, some elder bhikkhus taught and instructed twenty…thirty…forty bhikkhus. And the new bhikkhus, taught and instructed by the elder bhikkhus, achieved successive stages of high distinction. On that occasion—the Uposatha day of the fifteenth, the full-moon night of the Komudī full moon of the fourth month—the Blessed One was seated in the open surrounded by the Sangha of bhikkhus. Then, surveying the silent Sangha of bhikkhus, he addressed them thus: “Bhikkhus, this assembly is free from prattle, this assembly is free from chatter. It consists purely of heartwood. Such is this Sangha of bhikkhus, such is this assembly. Such an assembly as is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of reverential salutation, an incomparable field of merit for the world—such is this Sangha of bhikkhus, such is this assembly. Such an assembly that a small gift given to it becomes great and a great gift greater—such is this Sangha of bhikkhus, such is this assembly. Such an assembly as is rare for the world to see—such is this Sangha of bhikkhus, such is this assembly. Such an assembly as would be worth journeying many leagues with a travel-bag to see—such is this Sangha of bhikkhus, such is this assembly. “In this Sangha of bhikkhus there are bhikkhus who are arahants with taints destroyed, who have lived the holy life, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, reached their own goal, destroyed the fetters of being, and are completely liberated through final knowledge—such bhikkhus are there in this Sangha of bhikkhus. “In this Sangha of bhikkhus there are bhikkhus who, with the destruction of the five lower fetters, are due to reappear spontaneously in the Pure Abodes and there attain final Nibbāna, without ever returning from that world—such bhikkhus are there in this Sangha of bhikkhus. “In this Sangha of bhikkhus there are bhikkhus who, with the destruction of three fetters and with the attenuation of lust, hate, and delusion, are once-returners, returning once to this world to make an end of suffering—such bhikkhus are there in this Sangha of bhikkhus. “In this Sangha of bhikkhus there are bhikkhus who, with the destruction of the three fetters, are stream-enterers, no longer subject to perdition, bound for deliverance, headed for enlightenment—such bhikkhus are there in this Sangha of bhikkhus. “In this Sangha of bhikkhus there are bhikkhus who abide devoted to the development of the four foundations of mindfulness—such bhikkhus are there in this Sangha of bhikkhus. In this Sangha of bhikkhus there are bhikkhus who abide devoted to the development of the four right kinds of striving…of the four bases for spiritual power…of the five faculties…of the five powers…of the seven enlightenment factors…of the Noble Eightfold Path—such bhikkhus are there in this Sangha of bhikkhus. “In this Sangha of bhikkhus there are bhikkhus who abide devoted to the development of loving-kindness …of compassion…of altruistic joy…of equanimity…of the meditation on foulness…of the perception of impermanence—such bhikkhus are there in this Sangha of bhikkhus. In this Sangha of bhikkhus there are bhikkhus who abide devoted to the development of mindfulness of breathing. Mindfulness of Breathing “Bhikkhus, when mindfulness of breathing is developed and cultivated, it is of great fruit and great benefit. When mindfulness of breathing is developed and cultivated, it fulfils the four foundations of mindfulness. When the four foundations of mindfulness are developed and cultivated, they fulfil the seven enlightenment factors. When the seven enlightenment factors are developed and cultivated, they fulfil true knowledge and deliverance. “And how, bhikkhus, is mindfulness of breathing developed and cultivated, so that it is of great fruit and great benefit? “Here a bhikkhu, gone to the forest or to the root of a tree or to an empty hut, sits down; having folded his legs crosswise, set his body erect, and established mindfulness in front of him, ever mindful he breathes in, mindful he breathes out. “Breathing in long, he understands: ‘I breathe in long’; or breathing out long, he understands: ‘I breathe out long.’ Breathing in short, he understands: ‘I breathe in short’; or breathing out short, he understands: ‘I breathe out short.’ He trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in experiencing the whole body of breath’; he trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out experiencing the whole body of breath.’ He trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in tranquillising the bodily formation’; he trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out tranquillising the bodily formation.’ “He trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in experiencing rapture’; he trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out experiencing rapture.’ He trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in experiencing pleasure’; he trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out experiencing pleasure.’ He trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in experiencing the mental formation’; he trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out experiencing the mental formation. ’ He trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in tranquillising the mental formation’; he trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out tranquillising the mental formation.’ “He trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in experiencing the mind’; he trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out experiencing the mind.’ He trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in gladdening the mind’; he trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out gladdening the mind.’ He trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in concentrating the mind’; he trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out concentrating the mind.’ He trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in liberating the mind’; he trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out liberating the mind.’ “He trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in contemplating impermanence’; he trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out contemplating impermanence. ’ He trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in contemplating fading away’; he trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out contemplating fading away.’ He trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in contemplating cessation’; he trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out contemplating cessation.’ He trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in contemplating relinquishment’; he trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out contemplating relinquishment. ’ “Bhikkhus, that is how mindfulness of breathing is developed and cultivated, so that it is of great fruit and great benefit. Fulfilment of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness “And how, bhikkhus, does mindfulness of breathing, developed and cultivated, fulfil the four foundations of mindfulness? “Bhikkhus, on whatever occasion a bhikkhu, breathing in long, understands: ‘I breathe in long,’ or breathing out long, understands: ‘I breathe out long’; breathing in short, understands: ‘I breathe in short,’ or breathing out short, understands: ‘I breathe out short’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in experiencing the whole body of breath’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out experiencing the whole body of breath’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in tranquillising the bodily formation’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out tranquillising the bodily formation’—on that occasion a bhikkhu abides contemplating the body as a body, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world. I say that this is a certain body among the bodies, namely, in-breathing and out-breathing. That is why on that occasion a bhikkhu abides contemplating the body as a body, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world. “Bhikkhus, on whatever occasion a bhikkhu trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in experiencing rapture’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out experiencing rapture’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in experiencing pleasure’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out experiencing pleasure’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in experiencing the mental formation’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out experiencing the mental formation’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in tranquillising the mental formation’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out tranquillising the mental formation’—on that occasion a bhikkhu abides contemplating feelings as feelings, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world. I say that this is a certain feeling among the feelings, namely, giving close attention to in-breathing and out-breathing. That is why on that occasion a bhikkhu abides contemplating feelings as feelings, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world. “Bhikkhus, on whatever occasion a bhikkhu trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in experiencing the mind’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out experiencing the mind’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in gladdening the mind’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out gladdening the mind’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in concentrating the mind’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out concentrating the mind’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in liberating the mind’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out liberating the mind’—on that occasion a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind as mind, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world. I do not say that there is the development of mindfulness of breathing for one who is forgetful, who is not fully aware. That is why on that occasion a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind as mind, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world. “Bhikkhus, on whatever occasion a bhikkhu trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in contemplating impermanence’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out contemplating impermanence’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in contemplating fading away’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out contemplating fading away’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in contemplating cessation’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out contemplating cessation’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe in contemplating relinquishment’; trains thus: ‘I shall breathe out contemplating relinquishment’—on that occasion a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world. Having seen with wisdom the abandoning of covetousness and grief, he closely looks on with equanimity. That is why on that occasion a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world. “Bhikkhus, that is how mindfulness of breathing, developed and cultivated, fulfils the four foundations of mindfulness. Fulfilment of the Seven Enlightenment Factors “And how, bhikkhus, do the four foundations of mindfulness, developed and cultivated, fulfil the seven enlightenment factors? “Bhikkhus, on whatever occasion a bhikkhu abides contemplating the body as a body, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world—on that occasion unremitting mindfulness is established in him. On whatever occasion unremitting mindfulness is established in a bhikkhu—on that occasion the mindfulness enlightenment factor is aroused in him, and he develops it, and by development, it comes to fulfilment in him. “Abiding thus mindful, he investigates and examines that state with wisdom and embarks upon a full inquiry into it. On whatever occasion, abiding thus mindful, a bhikkhu investigates and examines that state with wisdom and embarks upon a full inquiry into it—on that occasion the investigation-of-states enlightenment factor is aroused in him, and he develops it, and by development it comes to fulfilment in him. “In one who investigates and examines that state with wisdom and embarks upon a full inquiry into it, tireless energy is aroused. On whatever occasion tireless energy is aroused in a bhikkhu who investigates and examines that state with wisdom and embarks upon a full inquiry into it—on that occasion the energy enlightenment factor is aroused in him, and he develops it, and by development it comes to fulfilment in him. “In one who has aroused energy, unworldly rapture arises. On whatever occasion unworldly rapture arises in a bhikkhu who has aroused energy— on that occasion the rapture enlightenment factor is aroused in him, and he develops it, and by development it comes to fulfilment in him. “In one who is rapturous, the body and the mind become tranquil. On whatever occasion the body and the mind become tranquil in a bhikkhu who is rapturous—on that occasion the tranquillity enlightenment factor is aroused in him, and he develops it, and by development it comes to fulfilment in him. “In one whose body is tranquil and who feels pleasure, the mind becomes concentrated. On whatever occasion the mind becomes concentrated in a bhikkhu whose body is tranquil and who feels pleasure—on that occasion the concentration enlightenment factor is aroused in him, and he develops it, and by development it comes to fulfilment in him. “He closely looks on with equanimity at the mind thus concentrated. On whatever occasion a bhikkhu closely looks on with equanimity at the mind thus concentrated—on that occasion the equanimity enlightenment factor is aroused in him, and he develops it, and by development it comes to fulfilment in him. “Bhikkhus, on whatever occasion a bhikkhu abides contemplating feelings as feelings, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world…repeat as at §§30–36…the equanimity enlightenment factor is aroused in him, and he develops it, and by development it comes to fulfilment in him. “Bhikkhus, on whatever occasion a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind as mind, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world…repeat as at §§30–36…the equanimity enlightenment factor is aroused in him, and he develops it, and by development it comes to fulfilment in him. “Bhikkhus, on whatever occasion a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world…repeat as at §§30–36… …the equanimity enlightenment factor is aroused in him, and he develops it, and by development it comes to fulfilment in him. “Bhikkhus, that is how the four foundations of mindfulness, developed and cultivated, fulfil the seven enlightenment factors. Fulfilment of True Knowledge and Deliverance “And how, bhikkhus, do the seven enlightenment factors, developed and cultivated, fulfil true knowledge and deliverance? “Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the mindfulness enlightenment factor, which is supported by seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, and ripens in relinquishment. He develops the investigation-of-states enlightenment factor…the energy enlightenment factor…the rapture enlightenment factor…the tranquillity enlightenment factor…the concentration enlightenment factor…the equanimity enlightenment factor, which is supported by seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, and ripens in relinquishment. “Bhikkhus, that is how the seven enlightenment factors, developed and cultivated, fulfil true knowledge and deliverance.” That is what the Blessed One said. The bhikkhus were satisfied and delighted in the Blessed One’s words.

The Buddha's words Sallekhasutta MN 8 https://suttacentral.net/mn8 Photo by Valery Sysoev on Unsplash THUS HAVE I HEARD. On one occasion the Blessed One was living at Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. Then, when it was evening, the venerable Mahā Cunda rose from meditation and went to the Blessed One. After paying homage to the Blessed One he sat down at one side and said to him: “Venerable sir, various views arise in the world associated either with doctrines of a self or with doctrines about the world. Now does the abandoning and relinquishing of those views come about in a bhikkhu who is attending only to the beginning of his meditative training?” “Cunda, as to those various views that arise in the world associated either with doctrines of a self or with doctrines about the world: if the object in relation to which those views arise, which they underlie, and which they are exercised upon is seen as it actually is with proper wisdom thus: ‘This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self,’ then the abandoning and relinquishing of those views comes about. The Eight Attainments “It is possible here, Cunda, that quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, some bhikkhu enters upon and abides in the first jhāna, which is accompanied by applied and sustained thought, with rapture and pleasure born of seclusion. He might think thus: ‘I am abiding in effacement. ’ But it is not these attainments that are called ‘effacement’ in the Noble One’s Discipline: these are called ‘pleasant abidings here and now’ in the Noble One’s Discipline. “It is possible here that with the stilling of applied and sustained thought, some bhikkhu enters upon and abides in the second jhāna, which has self-confidence and singleness of mind without applied and sustained thought, with rapture and pleasure born of concentration. He might think thus: ‘I am abiding in effacement.’ But…these are called ‘pleasant abidings here and now’ in the Noble One’s Discipline. “It is possible here that with the fading away as well of rapture, some bhikkhu abides in equanimity, and mindful and fully aware, still feeling pleasure with the body, he enters upon and abides in the third jhāna, on account of which noble ones announce: ‘He has a pleasant abiding who has equanimity and is mindful.’ He might think thus: ‘I am abiding in effacement.’ But…these are called ‘pleasant abidings here and now’ in the Noble One’s Discipline. “It is possible here that with the abandoning of pleasure and pain, and with the previous disappearance of joy and grief, some bhikkhu enters upon and abides in the fourth jhāna, which has neither-pain-nor-pleasure and purity of mindfulness due to equanimity. He might think thus: ‘I am abiding in effacement.’ But it is not these attainments that are called ‘effacement’ in the Noble One’s Discipline: these are called ‘pleasant abidings here and now’ in the Noble One’s Discipline. “It is possible here that with the complete surmounting of perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of sensory impact, with non-attention to perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite,’ some bhikkhu enters upon and abides in the base of infinite space. He might think thus: ‘I am abiding in effacement.’ But it is not these attainments that are called ‘effacement’ in the Noble One’s Discipline: these are called ‘peaceful abidings’ in the Noble One’s Discipline. “It is possible here that by completely surmounting the base of infinite space, aware that ‘consciousness is infinite,’ some bhikkhu enters upon and abides in the base of infinite consciousness. He might think thus: ‘I am abiding in effacement.’ But…these are called ‘peaceful abidings’ in the Noble One’s Discipline. “It is possible here that by completely surmounting the base of infinite consciousness, aware that ‘there is nothing,’ some bhikkhu enters upon and abides in the base of nothingness. He might think thus: ‘I am abiding in effacement.’ But…these are called ‘peaceful abidings’ in the Noble One’s Discipline. “It is possible here that by completely surmounting the base of nothingness, some bhikkhu enters upon and abides in the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception. He might think thus: ‘I am abiding in effacement.’ But these attainments are not called ‘effacement’ in the Noble One’s Discipline: these are called ‘peaceful abidings’ in the Noble One’s Discipline. Effacement “Now, Cunda, here effacement should be practised by you: (1) ‘Others will be cruel; we shall not be cruel here’: effacement should be practised thus. (2) ‘Others will kill living beings; we shall abstain from killing living beings here’: effacement should be practised thus. (3) ‘Others will take what is not given; we shall abstain from taking what is not given here’: effacement should be practised thus. (4) ‘Others will be uncelibate; we shall be celibate here’: effacement should be practised thus. (5) ‘Others will speak falsehood; we shall abstain from false speech here’: effacement should be practised thus. (6) ‘Others will speak maliciously; we shall abstain from malicious speech here’: effacement should be practised thus. (7) ‘Others will speak harshly; we shall abstain from harsh speech here’: effacement should be practised thus. (8) ‘Others will gossip; we shall abstain from gossip here’: effacement should be practised thus. (9) ‘Others will be covetous; we shall be uncovetous here’: effacement should be practised thus. (10) ‘Others will have ill will; we shall be without ill will here’: effacement should be practised thus. (11) ‘Others will be of wrong view; we shall be of right view here’: effacement should be practised thus. (12) ‘Others will be of wrong intention; we shall be of right intention here’: effacement should be practised thus. (13) ‘Others will be of wrong speech; we shall be of right speech here’: effacement should be practised thus. (14) ‘Others will be of wrong action; we shall be of right action here’: effacement should be practised thus. (15) ‘Others will be of wrong livelihood; we shall be of right livelihood here’: effacement should be practised thus. (16) ‘Others will be of wrong effort; we shall be of right effort here’: effacement should be practised thus. (17) ‘Others will be of wrong mindfulness; we shall be of right mindfulness here’: effacement should be practised thus. (18) ‘Others will be of wrong concentration; we shall be of right concentration here’: effacement should be practised thus. (19) ‘Others will be of wrong knowledge; we shall be of right knowledge here’: effacement should be practised thus. (20) ‘Others will be of wrong deliverance; we shall be of right deliverance here’: effacement should be practised thus. (21) ‘Others will be overcome by sloth and torpor; we shall be free from sloth and torpor here’: effacement should be practised thus. (22) ‘Others will be restless; we shall not be restless here’: effacement should be practised thus. (23) ‘Others will be doubters; we shall go beyond doubt here’: effacement should be practised thus. (24) ‘Others will be angry; we shall not be angry here’: effacement should be practised thus. (25) ‘Others will be resentful; we shall not be resentful here’: effacement should be practised thus. (26) ‘Others will be contemptuous; we shall not be contemptuous here’: effacement should be practised thus. (27) ‘Others will be insolent; we shall not be insolent here’: effacement should be practised thus. (28) ‘Others will be envious; we shall not be envious here’: effacement should be practised thus. (29) ‘Others will be avaricious; we shall not be avaricious here’: effacement should be practised thus. (30) ‘Others will be fraudulent; we shall not be fraudulent here’: effacement should be practised thus. (31) ‘Others will be deceitful; we shall not be deceitful here’: effacement should be practised thus. (32) ‘Others will be obstinate; we shall not be obstinate here’: effacement should be practised thus. (33) ‘Others will be arrogant; we shall not be arrogant here’: effacement should be practised thus. (34) ‘Others will be difficult to admonish; we shall be easy to admonish here’: effacement should be practised thus. (35) ‘Others will have bad friends; we shall have good friends here’: effacement should be practised thus. (36) ‘Others will be negligent; we shall be diligent here’: effacement should be practised thus. (37) ‘Others will be faithless; we shall be faithful here’: effacement should be practised thus. (38) ‘Others will be shameless; we shall be shameful here’: effacement should be practised thus. (39) ‘Others will have no fear of wrongdoing; we shall be afraid of wrongdoing here’: effacement should be practised thus. (40) ‘Others will be of little learning; we shall be of great learning here’: effacement should be practised thus. (41) ‘Others will be lazy; we shall be energetic here’: effacement should be practised thus. (42) ‘Others will be unmindful; we shall be established in mindfulness here’: effacement should be practised thus. (43) ‘Others will lack wisdom; we shall possess wisdom here’: effacement should be practised thus. (44) ‘Others will adhere to their own views, hold on to them tenaciously, and relinquish them with difficulty; we shall not adhere to our own views or hold on to them tenaciously, but shall relinquish them easily’: effacement should be practised thus. Inclination of Mind “Cunda, I say that even the inclination of mind towards wholesome states is of great benefit, so what should be said of bodily and verbal acts conforming to such a state of mind? Therefore, Cunda: (1) Mind should be inclined thus: ‘Others will be cruel; we shall not be cruel here.’ (2) Mind should be inclined thus: ‘Others will kill living beings; we shall abstain from killing living beings here.’ (3–43) Mind should be inclined thus:… (44) Mind should be inclined thus: ‘Others will adhere to their own views, hold on to them tenaciously, and relinquish them with difficulty; we shall not adhere to our own views or hold on to them tenaciously, but shall relinquish them easily.’ Avoidance “Cunda, suppose there were an uneven path and another even path by which to avoid it; and suppose there were an uneven ford and another even ford by which to avoid it. So too: (1) A person given to cruelty has non-cruelty by which to avoid it. (2) One given to killing living beings has abstention from killing living beings by which to avoid it. (3) One given to taking what is not given has abstention from taking what is not given by which to avoid it. (4) One given to be uncelibate has celibacy by which to avoid it. (5) One given to false speech has abstention from false speech by which to avoid it. (6) One given to malicious speech has abstention from malicious speech by which to avoid it. (7) One given to harsh speech has abstention from harsh speech by which to avoid it. (8) One given to gossip has abstention from gossip by which to avoid it. (9) One given to covetousness has uncovetousness by which to avoid it. (10) One given to ill will has non-ill will by which to avoid it. (11) One given to wrong view has right view by which to avoid it. (12) One given to wrong intention has right intention by which to avoid it. (13) One given to wrong speech has right speech by which to avoid it. (14) One given to wrong action has right action by which to avoid it. (15) One given to wrong livelihood has right livelihood by which to avoid it. (16) One given to wrong effort has right effort by which to avoid it. (17) One given to wrong mindfulness has right mindfulness by which to avoid it. (18) One given to wrong concentration has right concentration by which to avoid it. (19) One given to wrong knowledge has right knowledge by which to avoid it. (20) One given to wrong deliverance has right deliverance by which to avoid it. (21) One given to sloth and torpor has freedom from sloth and torpor by which to avoid it. (22) One given to restlessness has non-restlessness by which to avoid it. (23) One given to doubt has the state beyond doubt by which to avoid it. (24) One given to anger has non-anger by which to avoid it. (25) One given to resentment has non-resentment by which to avoid it. (26) One given to contempt has non-contempt by which to avoid it. (27) One given to insolence has non-insolence by which to avoid it. (28) One given to envy has non-envy by which to avoid it. (29) One given to avarice has non-avarice by which to avoid it. (30) One given to fraud has non-fraud by which to avoid it. (31) One given to deceit has non-deceit by which to avoid it. (32) One given to obstinacy has non-obstinacy by which to avoid it. (33) One given to arrogance has non-arrogance by which to avoid it. (34) One given to being difficult to admonish has being easy to admonish by which to avoid it. (35) One given to making bad friends has making good friends by which to avoid it. (36) One given to negligence has diligence by which to avoid it. (37) One given to faithlessness has faith by which to avoid it. (38) One given to shamelessness has shame by which to avoid it. (39) One given to fearlessness of wrongdoing has fear of wrongdoing by which to avoid it. (40) One given to little learning has great learning by which to avoid it. (41) One given to laziness has the arousal of energy by which to avoid it. (42) One given to unmindfulness has the establishment of mindfulness by which to avoid it. (43) One given to lack of wisdom has the acquisition of wisdom by which to avoid it. (44) One given to adhere to his own views, who holds on to them tenaciously and relinquishes them with difficulty, has non-adherence to his own views, not holding on to them tenaciously and relinquishing them easily, by which to avoid it. The Way Leading Upwards “Cunda, just as all unwholesome states lead downwards and all wholesome states lead upwards, so too: (1) A person given to cruelty has non-cruelty to lead him upwards. (2) One given to killing living beings has abstention from killing living beings to lead him upwards. (3–43) One given to…to lead him upwards. (44) One given to adhere to his own views, who holds on to them tenaciously and relinquishes them with difficulty, has non-adherence to his own views, not holding on to them tenaciously and relinquishing them easily, to lead him upwards. The Way of Extinguishing “Cunda, that one who is himself sinking in the mud should pull out another who is sinking in the mud is impossible; that one who is not himself sinking in the mud should pull out another who is sinking in the mud is possible. That one who is himself untamed, undisciplined, with defilements unextinguished, should tame another, discipline him, and help extinguish his defilements is impossible; that one who is himself tamed, disciplined, with defilements extinguished, should tame another, discipline him, and help extinguish his defilements is possible. So too: (1) A person given to cruelty has non-cruelty by which to extinguish it. (2) One given to killing living beings has abstention from killing living beings by which to extinguish it. (3–43) One given to… …by which to extinguish it. (44) One given to adhere to his own views, who holds on to them tenaciously and relinquishes them with difficulty, has non-adherence to his own views, not holding on to them tenaciously and relinquishing them easily, by which to extinguish it. Conclusion “So, Cunda, the way of effacement has been taught by me, the way of inclining the mind has been taught by me, the way of avoidance has been taught by me, the way leading upwards has been taught by me, and the way of extinguishing has been taught by me. “What should be done for his disciples out of compassion by a teacher who seeks their welfare and has compassion for them, that I have done for you, Cunda. There are these roots of trees, these empty huts. Meditate, Cunda, do not delay or else you will regret it later. This is our instruction to you.” That is what the Blessed One said. The venerable Mahā Cunda was satisfied and delighted in the Blessed One’s words.

The Buddha's words Tipitaka_Pali_Reader Photo by Lina Trochez on Unsplash At one time the Blessed One was staying in Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park. Then Anāthapiṇḍika the householder approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he sat down to one side. The Blessed One then said to Anāthapiṇḍika the householder, as he sat to one side: "Is almsgiving given in your family, householder?" "Almsgiving is given in my family, Bhante, but it is coarse, broken rice mixed with sour gruel." "Whether, householder, one gives coarse alms or excellent alms; if one gives it disrespectfully, without consideration, not with one's own hand, casts it away, or gives it without a view to future results. Wherever the result of that particular gift arises, the mind does not incline towards abundant food enjoyment, the mind does not incline towards abundant clothing enjoyment, the mind does not incline towards abundant vehicle enjoyment, the mind does not incline towards the enjoyment of the five abundant sense pleasures. And his children, or wives, or slaves, or servants, or workers, they too do not listen, do not give ear, do not apply their minds to understanding. For what reason is that? This, householder, is the result of actions done disrespectfully.” “But householder, if one gives a gift, whether coarse or excellent; and gives it respectfully, gives it with reverence, gives it with one’s own hand, gives it not as if discarding it, gives it with the view that its result will come. Wherever the result of that particular gift arises, the mind inclines towards abundant food enjoyment, the mind inclines towards abundant clothing enjoyment, the mind inclines towards abundant vehicle enjoyment, the mind inclines towards the enjoyment of the five abundant sense pleasures. And his children, or wives, or slaves, or servants, or workers, they too listen, give ear, apply their minds to understanding. For what reason is that? This, householder, is the result of actions done respectfully. “Formerly, householder, there was a brahmin named Velāma. He gave such a great gift. He gave eighty-four thousand golden bowls filled with silver, eighty-four thousand silver bowls filled with gold, eighty-four thousand bronze bowls filled with jewels; eighty-four thousand elephants adorned with gold, with golden banners, covered with golden nets; eighty-four thousand chariots covered with lion skins, or tiger skins, or leopard skins, or yellow woolen blankets, adorned with gold, with golden banners, covered with golden nets; eighty-four thousand milch cows with fine linen cloths for milking, with bronze pails for receiving milk; eighty-four thousand maidens adorned with jeweled earrings; eighty-four thousand couches covered with long-fleeced rugs, or white rugs, or embroidered rugs, or the finest antelope-skin covers, with canopies, with red pillows at both ends; eighty-four thousand crores of cloths of fine linen, fine silk, fine wool, fine cotton. What need is there to speak of food, drink, hard food, soft food, lickables, and sipables? It was as if rivers flowed forth. “It might occur to you, householder, thus: ‘Surely, another Velāma brahmin existed at that time, who gave that great gift.’ But householder, it should not be seen thus. I was the Velāma brahmin at that time. I gave that great gift. But householder, in that gift, there was no one worthy of offerings; no one purified that offering. “Householder, if one were to feed one person endowed with right view, this is more fruitful than the great gift that the Velāma brahmin gave. If one were to feed one hundred persons endowed with right view, or if one were to feed one Sakadāgāmī, this is more fruitful than that. “Whoever should feed a hundred once-returners, or whoever should feed one non-returner… whoever should feed a hundred non-returners, or whoever should feed one Arahant… whoever should feed a hundred Arahants, or whoever should feed one Paccekabuddha… whoever should feed a hundred Paccekabuddhas, or whoever should feed a Tathāgata, an Arahant, a Fully Self-Awakened One… whoever should feed a Saṅgha headed by the Buddha… whoever should have a monastery built for the Saṅgha of the four directions… whoever, with a confident mind, should go for refuge to the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Saṅgha… whoever, with a confident mind, should undertake the training rules—abstinence from the destruction of life, abstinence from taking what is not given, abstinence from misconduct in sensual pleasures, abstinence from false speech, abstinence from wines, liquors, and intoxicants, which are the basis of heedlessness—or whoever should develop a mind of loving-kindness even for the time it takes to snap one's fingers, this is of greater fruit than that. “And, householder, the great offering that Velāma the brahmin gave, and whoever should feed one stream-enterer… whoever should feed a hundred stream-enterers, or whoever should feed one once-returner… whoever should feed a hundred once-returners, or whoever should feed one non-returner… whoever should feed a hundred non-returners, or whoever should feed one Arahant… whoever should feed a hundred Arahants, or whoever should feed one Paccekabuddha… whoever should feed a hundred Paccekabuddhas, or whoever should feed a Tathāgata, an Arahant, a Fully Self-Awakened One… whoever should feed a Saṅgha headed by the Buddha, or whoever should have a monastery built for the Saṅgha of the four directions… whoever, with a confident mind, should go for refuge to the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Saṅgha, or whoever, with a confident mind, should undertake the training rules—abstinence from the destruction of life… abstinence from wines, liquors, and intoxicants, which are the basis of heedlessness—or whoever should develop a mind of loving-kindness even for the time it takes to smell a perfume, or whoever should develop the perception of impermanence even for the time it takes to snap one's fingers, this is of greater fruit than that.”

The Buddha's words Hatthakasutta AN 3.35 https://suttacentral.net/an3.35 Photo by Seven Colors on Unsplash On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Āḷavī on a heap of leaves spread out on a cow track in a siṁsapā grove. Then Hatthaka of Āḷavī, while walking and wandering for exercise, saw the Blessed One sitting there. He then approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and said to the Blessed One: “Bhante, did the Blessed One sleep well?” “Yes, prince, I slept well. I am one of those in the world who sleep well.” “But, Bhante, the winter nights are cold. It is the eight-day interval, the time when snow falls. The ground trampled by the hooves of cattle is rough, the spread of leaves is thin, the leaves on the tree are sparse, the ochre robes leave one cold, and the gale wind blows cold. Yet the Blessed One says thus: ‘Yes, prince, I slept well. I am one of those in the world who sleep well.’” “Well then, prince, I will question you about this matter. You should answer as you see fit. What do you think, prince? A householder or a householder’s son might have a house with a peaked roof, plastered inside and out, draft-free, with bolts fastened and shutters closed. There he might have a couch spread with rugs, blankets, and covers, with an excellent covering of antelope hide, with a canopy above and red bolsters at both ends. An oil lamp would be burning and his four wives would serve him in extremely agreeable ways. What do you think, would he sleep well or not, or what do you think about this?” “He would sleep well, Bhante. He would be one of those in the world who sleep well.” “What do you think, prince? Might there arise in that householder or householder’s son bodily and mental fevers born of lust, which would torment him so that he would sleep badly?” “Yes, Bhante.” “There might arise in that householder or householder’s son bodily and mental fevers born of lust, which would torment him so that he would sleep badly; but the Tathāgata has abandoned such lust, cut it off at the root, made it like a palm stump, obliterated it so that it is no more subject to future arising. Therefore I have slept well. “What do you think, prince? Might there arise in that householder or householder’s son bodily and mental fevers born of hatred, which would torment him so that he would sleep badly?” “Yes, Bhante.” “There might arise in that householder or householder’s son bodily and mental fevers born of hatred, which would torment him so that he would sleep badly; but the Tathāgata has abandoned such hatred, cut it off at the root, made it like a palm stump, obliterated it so that it is no more subject to future arising. Therefore I have slept well. “What do you think, prince? Might there arise in that householder or householder’s son bodily and mental fevers born of delusion, which would torment him so that he would sleep badly?” “Yes, Bhante.” “There might arise in that householder or householder’s son bodily and mental fevers born of delusion, which would torment him so that he would sleep badly; but the Tathāgata has abandoned such delusion, cut it off at the root, made it like a palm stump, obliterated it so that it is no more subject to future arising. Therefore I have slept well.” He always sleeps well, the brahmin who has attained nibbāna, cooled off, without acquisitions, not tainted by sensual pleasures. Having cut off all attachments, having removed anguish in the heart, the peaceful one sleeps well, having attained peace of mind.

The Buddha's words Māgaṇḍiyasutta MN 75 https://suttacentral.net/mn75 Photo by Lauri Poldre from Pexels THUS HAVE I HEARD. On one occasion the Blessed One was living in the Kuru country where there was a town of the Kurus named Kammāsadhamma, on a spread of grass in the fire chamber of a brahmin belonging to the Bhāradvāja clan. Then, when it was morning, the Blessed One dressed, and taking his bowl and outer robe, went into Kammāsadhamma for alms. When he had wandered for alms in Kammāsadhamma and had returned from his almsround, after his meal he went to a certain grove for the day’s abiding. Having entered the grove, he sat down at the root of a tree for the day’s abiding. Then the wanderer Māgandiya, while walking and wandering for exercise, went to the fire chamber of the brahmin belonging to the Bhāradvāja clan. There he saw a spread of grass prepared and asked the brahmin: “For whom has this spread of grass been prepared in Master Bhāradvāja’s fire chamber? It seems like it might be a recluse’s bed.” “Master Māgandiya, there is the recluse Gotama, the son of the Sakyans, who went forth from a Sakyan clan. Now a good report of Master Gotama has been spread to this effect: ‘That Blessed One is accomplished, fully enlightened, perfect in true knowledge and conduct, sublime, knower of worlds, incomparable leader of persons to be tamed, teacher of gods and humans, enlightened, blessed.’ This bed has been prepared for that Master Gotama.” “Indeed, Master Bhāradvāja, it is an ill sight we see when we see the bed of that destroyer of growth, Master Gotama.” “Be careful what you say, Māgandiya, be careful what you say! Many learned nobles, learned brahmins, learned householders, and learned recluses have full confidence in Master Gotama, and have been disciplined by him in the noble true way, in the Dhamma that is wholesome.” “Master Bhāradvāja, even if we saw that Master Gotama face to face, we would tell him to his face: ‘The recluse Gotama is a destroyer of growth.’ Why is that? Because that has come down in our discourse.” “If Master Māgandiya has no objection, may I tell this to Master Gotama?” “Let Master Bhāradvāja be at ease. Tell him just what I have said.” Meanwhile, with the divine ear, which is purified and surpasses the human, the Blessed One heard this conversation between the brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan and the wanderer Māgandiya. Then, when it was evening, the Blessed One rose from meditation, went to the brahmin’s fire chamber, and sat down on the spread of grass made ready. Then the brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan went to the Blessed One and exchanged greetings with him. When this courteous and amiable talk was finished, he sat down at one side. The Blessed One asked him: “Bhāradvāja, did you have any conversation with the wanderer Māgandiya about this very same spread of grass?” When this was said, the brahmin, awestruck and with his hair standing on end, replied: “We wanted to tell Master Gotama about that very thing, but Master Gotama has anticipated us.” But this discussion between the Blessed One and the brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan was left unfinished, for then the wanderer Māgandiya, while walking and wandering for exercise, came to the brahmin’s fire chamber and went up to the Blessed One. He exchanged greetings with the Blessed One, and when this courteous and amiable talk was finished, he sat down at one side. The Blessed One said to him: “Māgandiya, the eye delights in forms, takes delight in forms, rejoices in forms; that has been tamed by the Tathāgata, guarded, protected, and restrained, and he teaches the Dhamma for its restraint. Was it with reference to this that you said: ‘The recluse Gotama is a destroyer of growth’?” “It was with reference to this, Master Gotama, that I said: ‘The recluse Gotama is a destroyer of growth.’ Why is that? Because that is recorded in our scriptures.” “The ear delights in sounds…The nose delights in odours…The tongue delights in flavours…The body delights in tangibles… The mind delights in mind-objects, takes delight in mind-objects, rejoices in mind-objects; that has been tamed by the Tathāgata, guarded, protected, and restrained, and he teaches the Dhamma for its restraint. Was it with reference to this that you said: ‘The recluse Gotama is a destroyer of growth’?” “It was with reference to this, Master Gotama, that I said: ‘The recluse Gotama is a destroyer of growth.’ Why is that? Because that is recorded in our scriptures.” “What do you think, Māgandiya? Here someone may have formerly enjoyed himself with forms cognizable by the eye that are wished for, desired, agreeable, and likeable, connected with sensual desire and provocative of lust. On a later occasion, having understood as they actually are the origin, the disappearance, the gratification, the danger, and the escape in the case of forms, he might abandon craving for forms, remove fever for forms, and abide without thirst, with a mind inwardly at peace. What would you say to him, Māgandiya?”—“Nothing, Master Gotama.” “What do you think, Māgandiya? Here someone may have formerly enjoyed himself with sounds cognizable by the ear…with odours cognizable by the nose…with flavours cognizable by the tongue…with tangibles cognizable by the body that are wished for, desired, agreeable, and likeable, connected with sensual desire and provocative of lust. On a later occasion, having understood as they actually are the origin, the disappearance, the gratification, the danger, and the escape in the case of tangibles, he might abandon craving for tangibles, remove fever for tangibles, and abide without thirst, with a mind inwardly at peace. What would you say to him, Māgandiya?”—“Nothing, Master Gotama.” “Māgandiya, formerly when I lived the home life, I enjoyed myself, provided and endowed with the five cords of sensual pleasure: with forms cognizable by the eye…with sounds cognizable by the ear…with odours cognizable by the nose…with flavours cognizable by the tongue…with tangibles cognizable by the body that are wished for, desired, agreeable, and likeable, connected with sensual desire and provocative of lust. I had three palaces, one for the rainy season, one for the winter, and one for the summer. I lived in the rains’ palace for the four months of the rainy season, enjoying myself with musicians, none of whom were men, and I did not go down to the lower palace. “On a later occasion, having understood as they actually are the origin, the disappearance, the gratification, the danger, and the escape in the case of sensual pleasures, I abandoned craving for sensual pleasures, I removed fever for sensual pleasures, and I abide without thirst, with a mind inwardly at peace. I see other beings who are not free from lust for sensual pleasures being devoured by craving for sensual pleasures, burning with fever for sensual pleasures, indulging in sensual pleasures, and I do not envy them, nor do I delight therein. Why is that? Because there is, Māgandiya, a delight apart from sensual pleasures, apart from unwholesome states, which surpasses even divine bliss. Since I take delight in that, I do not envy what is inferior, nor do I delight therein. “Suppose, Māgandiya, a householder or a householder’s son was rich, with great wealth and property, and being provided and endowed with the five cords of sensual pleasure, he might enjoy himself with forms cognizable by the eye…with sounds cognizable by the ear…with odours cognizable by the nose…with flavours cognizable by the tongue…with tangibles cognizable by the body that are wished for, desired, agreeable, and likeable, connected with sensual desire and provocative of lust. Having conducted himself well in body, speech, and mind, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he might reappear in a happy destination, in the heavenly world in the retinue of the gods of the Thirty-three; and there, surrounded by a group of nymphs in the Nandana Grove, he would enjoy himself, provided and endowed with the five cords of divine sensual pleasure. Suppose he saw a householder or a householder’s son enjoying himself, provided and endowed with the five cords of human sensual pleasure. What do you think, Māgandiya? Would that young god surrounded by the group of nymphs in the Nandana Grove, enjoying himself, provided and endowed with the five cords of divine sensual pleasure, envy the householder or the householder’s son for the five cords of human sensual pleasure or would he be enticed by human sensual pleasures?” “No, Master Gotama. Why not? Because divine sensual pleasures are more excellent and sublime than human sensual pleasures.” “So too, Māgandiya, formerly when I lived the home life, I enjoyed myself, provided and endowed with the five cords of sensual pleasure: with forms cognizable by the eye…with tangibles cognizable by the body that are wished for, desired, agreeable, and likeable, connected with sensual desire and provocative of lust. On a later occasion, having understood as they actually are the gratification, the danger, and the escape in the case of sensual pleasures, I abandoned craving for sensual pleasures, I removed fever for sensual pleasures, and I abide without thirst, with a mind inwardly at peace. I see other beings who are not free from lust for sensual pleasures being devoured by craving for sensual pleasures, burning with fever for sensual pleasures, indulging in sensual pleasures, and I do not envy them nor do I delight therein. Why is that? Because there is, Māgandiya, a delight apart from sensual pleasures, apart from unwholesome states, which surpasses even divine bliss. Since I take delight in that, I do not envy what is inferior, nor do I delight therein. “Suppose, Māgandiya, there was a leper with sores and blisters on his limbs, being devoured by worms, scratching the scabs off the openings of his wounds with his nails, cauterising his body over a burning charcoal pit. Then his friends and companions, his kinsmen and relatives, would bring a physician to treat him. The physician would make medicine for him, and by means of that medicine the man would be cured of his leprosy and would become well and happy, independent, master of himself, able to go where he likes. Then he might see another leper with sores and blisters on his limbs, being devoured by worms, scratching the scabs off the openings of his wounds with his nails, cauterising his body over a burning charcoal pit. What do you think, Māgandiya? Would that man envy that leper for his burning charcoal pit or his use of medicine?” “No, Master Gotama. Why is that? Because when there is sickness, there is need for medicine, and when there is no sickness there is no need for medicine.” “So too, Māgandiya, formerly when I lived the home life…as in §12…Since I take delight in that, I do not envy what is inferior, nor do I delight therein. “Suppose, Māgandiya, there was a leper with sores and blisters on his limbs, being devoured by worms, scratching the scabs off the openings of his wounds with his nails, cauterising his body over a burning charcoal pit. Then his friends and companions, his kinsmen and relatives, brought a physician to treat him. The physician would make medicine for him, and by means of that medicine the man would be cured of his leprosy and would become well and happy, independent, master of himself, able to go where he likes. Then two strong men would seize him by both arms and drag him towards a burning charcoal pit. What do you think, Māgandiya? Would that man twist his body this way and that?” “Yes, Master Gotama. Why is that? Because that fire is indeed painful to touch, hot, and scorching.” “What do you think, Māgandiya? Is it only now that that fire is painful to touch, hot, and scorching, or previously too was that fire painful to touch, hot, and scorching?” “Master Gotama, that fire is now painful to touch, hot, and scorching, and previously too that fire was painful to touch, hot, and scorching. For when that man was a leper with sores and blisters on his limbs, being devoured by worms, scratching the scabs off the openings of his wounds with his nails, his faculties were impaired; thus, though the fire was actually painful to touch, he acquired a mistaken perception of it as pleasant.” “So too, Māgandiya, in the past sensual pleasures were painful to touch, hot, and scorching; in the future sensual pleasures will be painful to touch, hot, and scorching; and now at present sensual pleasures are painful to touch, hot, and scorching. But these beings who are not free from lust for sensual pleasures, who are devoured by craving for sensual pleasures, who burn with fever for sensual pleasures, have faculties that are impaired; thus, though sensual pleasures are actually painful to touch, they acquire a mistaken perception of them as pleasant. “Suppose, Māgandiya, there was a leper with sores and blisters on his limbs, being devoured by worms, scratching the scabs off the openings of his wounds with his nails, cauterising his body over a burning charcoal pit; the more he scratches the scabs and cauterises his body, the fouler, more evil-smelling and more infected the openings of his wounds would become, yet he would find a certain measure of satisfaction and enjoyment in scratching the openings of his wounds. So too, Māgandiya, beings who are not free from lust for sensual pleasures, who are devoured by craving for sensual pleasures, who burn with fever for sensual pleasures, still indulge in sensual pleasures; the more such beings indulge in sensual pleasures, the more their craving for sensual pleasures increases and the more they are burned by their fever for sensual pleasures, yet they find a certain measure of satisfaction and enjoyment in dependence on the five cords of sensual pleasure. “What do you think, Māgandiya? Have you ever seen or heard of a king or a king’s minister enjoying himself, provided and endowed with the five cords of sensual pleasure who, without abandoning craving for sensual pleasures, without removing fever for sensual pleasures, was able to abide free from thirst, with a mind inwardly at peace, or who is able or who will be able to so abide?”—“No, Master Gotama.” “Good, Māgandiya. I too have never seen or heard of a king or a king’s minister enjoying himself, provided and endowed with the five cords of sensual pleasure who, without abandoning craving for sensual pleasures, without removing fever for sensual pleasures, was able to abide free from thirst, with a mind inwardly at peace, or who is able or who will be able to so abide. On the contrary, Māgandiya, those recluses or brahmins who abided or abide or will abide free from thirst, with a mind inwardly at peace, all do so after having understood as they actually are the origin, the disappearance, the gratification, the danger, and the escape in the case of sensual pleasures, and it is after abandoning craving for sensual pleasures and removing fever for sensual pleasures that they abided or abide or will abide free from thirst, with a mind inwardly at peace.” Then at that point the Blessed One uttered this exclamation: “The greatest of all gains is health, Nibbāna is the greatest bliss, The eightfold path is the best of paths For it leads safely to the Deathless.” When this was said, the wanderer Māgandiya said to the Blessed One: “It is wonderful, Master Gotama, it is marvellous how well that has been expressed by Master Gotama: ‘The greatest of all gains is health, Nibbāna is the greatest bliss.’ We too have heard earlier wanderers who were teachers and teachers of teachers saying this, and it agrees, Master Gotama.” “But, Māgandiya, when you heard earlier wanderers who were teachers and teachers of teachers saying this, what is that health, what is that Nibbāna?” When this was said, the wanderer Māgandiya rubbed his own limbs with his hands and said: “This is that health, Master Gotama, this is that Nibbāna; for I am now healthy and happy and nothing afflicts me.” “Māgandiya, suppose there was a man born blind who could not see dark and light forms, who could not see blue, yellow, red, or pink forms, who could not see what was even and uneven, who could not see the stars or the sun and moon. He might hear a man with good eyesight saying: ‘Good indeed, sirs, is a white cloth, beautiful, spotless, and clean!’ and he would go in search of a white cloth. Then a man would cheat him with a dirty soiled garment thus: ‘Good man, here is a white cloth for you, beautiful, spotless, and clean.’ And he would accept it and put it on, and being satisfied with it, he would utter words of satisfaction thus: ‘Good indeed, sirs, is a white cloth, beautiful, spotless, and clean!’ What do you think, Māgandiya? When that man born blind accepted that dirty soiled garment, put it on, and being satisfied with it, uttered words of satisfaction thus: ‘Good indeed, sirs, is a white cloth, beautiful, spotless, and clean!’—did he do so knowing and seeing, or out of faith in the man with good eyesight?” “Venerable sir, he would have done so unknowing and unseeing, out of faith in the man with good eyesight.” “So too, Māgandiya, the wanderers of other sects are blind and visionless. They do not know health, they do not see Nibbāna, yet they utter this stanza thus: ‘The greatest of all gains is health, Nibbāna is the greatest bliss.’ This stanza was uttered by the earlier Accomplished Ones, Fully Enlightened Ones, thus: ‘The greatest of all gains is health, Nibbāna is the greatest bliss, The eightfold path is the best of paths For it leads to safety, to the Deathless.’ Now it has gradually become current among ordinary people. And although this body, Māgandiya, is a disease, a tumour, a dart, a calamity, and an affliction, referring to this body you say: ‘This is that health, Master Gotama, this is that Nibbāna.’ You do not have that noble vision, Māgandiya, by means of which you might know health and see Nibbāna.” “I have confidence in Master Gotama thus: ‘Master Gotama is capable of teaching me the Dhamma in such a way that I can come to know health and to see Nibbāna.’” “Māgandiya, suppose there was a man born blind who could not see dark and light forms…or the sun and moon. Then his friends and companions, his kinsmen and relatives, would bring a physician to treat him. The physician would make a medicine for him, yet by means of that medicine the man’s vision would not arise or be purified. What do you think, Māgandiya, would that doctor reap weariness and disappointment?”—“Yes, Master Gotama.”—“So too, Māgandiya, if I were to teach you the Dhamma thus: ‘This is that health, this is that Nibbāna,’ you might not know health or see Nibbāna, and that would be wearisome and troublesome for me.” “I have confidence in Master Gotama thus: ‘Master Gotama is capable of teaching me the Dhamma in such a way that I can come to know health and to see Nibbāna.’” “Māgandiya, suppose there was a man born blind who could not see dark and light forms…or the sun and moon. He might hear a man with good eyesight saying: ‘Good indeed, sirs, is a white cloth, beautiful, spotless, and clean!’ and he would go in search of a white cloth. Then a man would cheat him with a dirty soiled garment thus: ‘Good man, here is a white cloth for you, beautiful, spotless, and clean.’ And he would accept it and put it on. Then his friends and companions, his kinsmen and relatives, would bring a physician to treat him. The physician would make medicine—emetics and purgatives, ointments and counter-ointments and nasal treatment—and by means of that medicine the man’s vision would arise and be purified. Together with the arising of his vision, his desire and liking for that dirty soiled garment would be abandoned; then he might burn with indignation and enmity towards that man and might think that he ought to be killed thus: ‘Indeed, I have long been tricked, cheated, and defrauded by this man with this dirty soiled garment when he told me: “Good man, here is a white cloth for you, beautiful, spotless, and clean.”’ “So too, Māgandiya, if I were to teach you the Dhamma thus: ‘This is that health, this is that Nibbāna,’ you might know health and see Nibbāna. Together with the arising of your vision, your desire and lust for the five aggregates affected by clinging might be abandoned. Then perhaps you might think: ‘Indeed, I have long been tricked, cheated, and defrauded by this mind. For when clinging, I have been clinging just to material form, I have been clinging just to feeling, I have been clinging just to perception, I have been clinging just to formations, I have been clinging just to consciousness. With my clinging as condition, being comes to be; with being as condition, birth; with birth as condition, ageing and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair come to be. Such is the origin of this whole mass of suffering.’” “I have confidence in Master Gotama thus: ‘Master Gotama is capable of teaching me the Dhamma in such a way that I might rise up from this seat cured of my blindness.’” “Then, Māgandiya, associate with true men. When you associate with true men, you will hear the true Dhamma. When you hear the true Dhamma, you will practise in accordance with the true Dhamma. When you practise in accordance with the true Dhamma, you will know and see for yourself thus: ‘These are diseases, tumours, and darts; but here these diseases, tumours, and darts cease without remainder. With the cessation of my clinging comes cessation of being; with the cessation of being, cessation of birth; with the cessation of birth, ageing and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair cease. Such is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering.’” When this was said, the wanderer Māgandiya said: “Magnificent, Master Gotama! Magnificent, Master Gotama! Master Gotama has made the Dhamma clear in many ways, as though he were turning upright what had been overthrown, revealing what was hidden, showing the way to one who was lost, or holding up a lamp in the dark for those with eyesight to see forms. I go to Master Gotama for refuge and to the Dhamma and to the Sangha of bhikkhus. I would receive the going forth under Master Gotama. I would receive the full admission.” “Māgandiya, one who formerly belonged to another sect and desires the going forth and the full admission in this Dhamma and Discipline lives on probation for four months. At the end of four months, if the bhikkhus are satisfied with him, they give him the going forth and the full admission to the bhikkhus’ state. But I recognise individual differences in this matter.” “Venerable sir, if those who formerly belonged to another sect and desire the going forth and the full admission in this Dhamma and Discipline live on probation for four months, and if at the end of the four months the bhikkhus being satisfied with them give them the going forth and the full admission to the bhikkhus’ state, then I will live on probation for four years. At the end of the four years if the bhikkhus are satisfied with me, let them give me the going forth and the full admission to the bhikkhus’ state.” Then the wanderer Māgandiya received the going forth under the Blessed One, and he received the full admission. And soon, not long after his full admission, dwelling alone, withdrawn, diligent, ardent, and resolute, the venerable Māgandiya, by realising for himself with direct knowledge, here and now entered upon and abided in that supreme goal of the holy life for the sake of which clansmen rightly go forth from the home life into homelessness. He directly knew: “Birth is destroyed, the holy life has been lived, what had to be done has been done, there is no more coming to any state of being.” And the venerable Māgandiya became one of the arahants.

Ānandasutta AN 6.51 https://suttacentral.net/an6.51 Venerables Ānanda and Sāriputta discuss how a bhikkhu can further their learning and understanding. Then Ven. Ananda went to Ven. Sariputta and, on arrival, exchanged courteous greetings with him. After an exchange of friendly greetings & courtesies, he sat to one side. As he was sitting there he said to Ven. Sariputta, “Friend Sariputta, to what extent does a monk hear Dhamma that he has not heard, do the Dhammas he has heard not get confused, do the Dhammas he has touched with his awareness stay current, and does he understand what (previously) was not understood?” “Friend Ananda is learned. Let the answer occur to him.” “In that case, friend Sariputta, listen to the Dhamma. Pay careful attention. I will speak.” “As you say, friend,” Ven. Sariputta responded. Ven. Ananda said, “There is the case, friend, where a monk masters the Dhamma: dialogues, narratives of mixed prose & verse, explanations, verses, spontaneous exclamations, quotations, birth stories, amazing events, question & answer sessions. He teaches the Dhamma in detail—as he has heard it, as he has remembered it—to others. He gets others to recite the Dhamma in detail—as they have heard it, as they have remembered it. He holds a group chanting of the Dhamma in detail—as he has heard it, as he has remembered it. He thinks about & evaluates the Dhamma as he has heard it, as he has remembered it; he contemplates it with his intellect. He enters the Rains in monasteries in which there are senior monks who are learned, who know the tradition, who are holders of the Dhamma, the Vinaya, & the Matika. Having approached them periodically, he questions them & quizzes them: ‘How it this, venerable sirs? What is the meaning of this?’ They make open for him what wasn’t open, make plain what wasn’t plain, dispel doubt on various doubtful points. “It’s to this extent, friend Sariputta, that a monk hears Dhamma he has not heard, that the Dhammas he has heard do not get confused, that the Dhammas he has touched with his awareness stay current, and that he understands what (previously) was not understood.” “It’s amazing, my friend. It’s astounding, my friend, how well-said that was by friend Ananda. And we will remember friend Ananda as endowed with these six qualities: Friend Ananda has mastered the Dhamma: dialogues, narratives of mixed prose and verse, explanations, verses, spontaneous exclamations, quotations, birth stories, amazing events, question & answer sessions. Friend Ananda teaches the Dhamma in detail—as he has heard it, as he has remembered it—to others. Friend Ananda gets others to recite the Dhamma in detail—as they have heard it, as they have remembered it. Friend Ananda holds a group chanting of the Dhamma in detail—as he has heard it, as he has remembered it. Friend Ananda thinks about & evaluates the Dhamma as he has heard it, as he has remembered it; he contemplates it with his intellect. Friend Ananda enters the Rains in monasteries in which there are senior monks who are learned, who know the tradition, who are holders of the Dhamma, the Vinaya, & the Matika. Having approached them periodically, he questions them & quizzes them: ‘How it this, venerable sirs? What is the meaning of this?’ They make open for friend Ananda what wasn’t open, make plain what wasn’t plain, dispel doubt on various doubtful points.”