SN46:77–88 Rivers Slanting: based upon seclusion
- © Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. (More copyright information)
1"Bhikkhus, just as the river Ganges slants, slopes, and inclines towards the east,
SN46:78-82… just as whatever great rivers there are— that is, the Ganges, the Yamuna, the Aciravati, the Sarabhū, the Mahī— all slant, slope, and incline towards the east,
SN46:83… just as the river Ganges slants, slopes, and inclines towards the ocean,
SN46:84-88 … just as whatever great rivers there are— that is, the Ganges, the Yamuna, the Aciravati, the Sarabhū, the Mahī— all slant, slope, and incline towards the ocean,
so too a bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the seven factors of enlightenment slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.
"And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu develop and cultivate the seven factors of enlightenment so that he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna?
Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of mindfulness, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.
He develops the enlightenment factor of discrimination of states, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.
He develops the enlightenment factor of energy, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.
He develops the enlightenment factor of rapture, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.
He develops the enlightenment factor of tranquillity, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.
He develops the enlightenment factor of concentration, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.
He develops the enlightenment factor of equanimity, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.
"It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu develops and cultivates the seven factors of enlightenment so that he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna."sn.v.135
2Six about slanting to the east
And six about slanting to the ocean.
These two sixes make up twelve:
Thus the subchapter is recited.
1"Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gaṅgā nadī pācīnaninnā pācīnapoṇā pācīnapabbhārā; evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satta bojjhaṅge bhāvento satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satta bojjhaṅge bhāvento satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … pe … upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ …
evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satta bojjhaṅge bhāvento satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro"ti.
Gaṅgāpeyyālavaggo navamo.
(Yāva esanā pāḷi vitthāretabbā.)
2Cha pācīnato ninnā,
cha ninnā ca samuddato;
Dvete cha dvādasa honti,
vaggo tena pavuccatīti.