SN45:142 Roots
- © Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. (More copyright information)
"Bhikkhus, just as, of all fragrant roots, black orris is declared to be their chief,[n.38] The similes of SN45.141–47 are also at SN22:102.
so too whatever wholesome states there are, they are all rooted in diligence, converge upon diligence, and diligence is declared to be the chief among them.
When a bhikkhu is diligent, it is to be expected that he will develop and cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path.
And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu who is diligent develop and cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path?
Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration,
- which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release;
- which has as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion;
- which has the Deathless as its ground, the Deathless as its destination, the Deathless as its final goal;
- which slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.
It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu who is diligent develops and cultivates the Noble Eightfold Path."
“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ye keci mūlagandhā, kāḷānusāriyaṃ tesaṃ aggamakkhāyati; evameva kho, bhikkhave…pe…
catutthaṃ.
