Saṃyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

So I have heard. At one time the venerables Ānanda and Bhadda were staying near Pāṭaliputta, in the Chicken Monastery. Then in the late afternoon, Venerable Bhadda came out of retreat, went to Venerable Ānanda, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to Ānanda:

“Reverend, they speak of this thing called ‘not the spiritual path’. What is not the spiritual path?” “Good, good, Reverend Bhadda! Your approach and eloquence are excellent, and it’s a good question. For you asked: ‘They speak of this thing called “not the spiritual path”. What is not the spiritual path?’” “Yes, reverend.” “What is not the spiritual path is simply the wrong eightfold path, that is: wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion.”

At Pāṭaliputta. “Reverend, they speak of this thing called the ‘spiritual path’. What is the spiritual path? And what is the culmination of the spiritual path?” “Good, good, Reverend Bhadda! Your approach and eloquence are excellent, and it’s a good question. For you asked: ‘They speak of this thing called “the spiritual path”. What is the spiritual path? And what is the culmination of the spiritual path?’” “Yes, reverend.” “The spiritual path is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. The ending of greed, hate, and delusion: this is the culmination of the spiritual path.”

At Pāṭaliputta. “Reverend, they speak of this thing called the ‘spiritual path’. What is the spiritual path? Who is someone on the spiritual path? And what is the culmination of the spiritual path?” “Good, good, Reverend Bhadda! Your approach and eloquence are excellent, and it’s a good question. … The spiritual path is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. Someone who possesses this noble eightfold path is called someone on the spiritual path. The ending of greed, hate, and delusion: this is the culmination of the spiritual path.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you the wrong way and the right way. Listen … And what is the wrong way? It is wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion. This is called the wrong way. And what is the right way? It is right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the right way.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you skillful and unskillful qualities. Listen … And what are unskillful qualities? They are wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion. These are called unskillful qualities. And what are skillful qualities? They are right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. These are called skillful qualities.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you the wrong practice and the right practice. Listen … And what’s the wrong practice? It is wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion. This is called the wrong practice. And what’s the right practice? It is right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the right practice.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I don’t praise wrong practice for laypeople or renunciates. Because of wrong practice, neither laypeople nor renunciates succeed in the system of the skillful teaching.

And what’s the wrong practice? It is wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion. This is called the wrong practice. I don’t praise wrong practice for lay people or renunciates. Because of wrong practice, neither laypeople nor renunciates succeed in the system of the skillful teaching.

I praise right practice for laypeople and renunciates. Because of right practice, both laypeople and renunciates succeed in the system of the skillful teaching. And what’s the right practice? It is right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the right practice. I praise right practice for laypeople and renunciates. Because of right practice, both laypeople and renunciates succeed in the system of the skillful teaching.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you an untrue person and a true person. Listen … And what is an untrue person? It’s someone who has wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion. This is called an untrue person.

And what is a true person? It’s someone who has right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called a true person.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you an untrue person and an even more untrue person, a true person and an even truer person. Listen … And what is an untrue person? It’s someone who has wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion. This is called an untrue person.

And what is an even more untrue person? It’s someone who has wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, wrong immersion, wrong knowledge, and wrong freedom. This is called an even more untrue person.

And what is a true person? It’s someone who has right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called a true person.

And what is an even truer person? It’s someone who has right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right immersion, right knowledge, and right freedom. This is called an even truer person.”

At Sāvatthī. “A pot without a stand is easy to overturn, but if it has a stand it’s hard to overturn. In the same way, a mind without a stand is easy to overturn, but if it has a stand it’s hard to overturn. And what’s the stand for the mind? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is the stand for the mind. A pot without a stand is easy to overturn, but if it has a stand it’s hard to overturn. In the same way, a mind without a stand is easy to overturn, but if it has a stand it’s hard to overturn.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you noble right immersion with its vital conditions and its prerequisites. Listen … And what is noble right immersion with its vital conditions and its prerequisites? There are right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, and right mindfulness. Unification of mind with these seven factors as prerequisites is called noble right immersion ‘with its vital conditions’ and also ‘with its prerequisites’.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, there are these three feelings. What three? Pleasant, painful, and neutral feeling. These are the three feelings. The noble eightfold path should be developed to completely understand these three feelings. What is the noble eightfold path? It is right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This noble eightfold path should be developed to completely understand these three feelings.”

At Sāvatthī. Then Venerable Uttiya went up to the Buddha … and asked him, “Just now, sir, as I was in private retreat this thought came to mind. ‘The Buddha has spoken of the five kinds of sensual stimulation. What are they?’” “Good, good, Uttiya! I have spoken of these five kinds of sensual stimulation. What five? Sights known by the eye, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. Sounds known by the ear … Smells known by the nose … Tastes known by the tongue … Touches known by the body, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. These are the five kinds of sensual stimulation that I’ve spoken of. The noble eightfold path should be developed to give up these five kinds of sensual stimulation. What is the noble eightfold path? It is right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is the noble eightfold path that should be developed to give up these five kinds of sensual stimulation.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you the wrong practice and the right practice. Listen … And what’s the wrong practice? It is wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion. This is called the wrong practice. And what’s the right practice? It is right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the right practice.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you one practicing wrongly and one practicing rightly. Listen … And who is practicing wrongly? It’s someone who has wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion. This is called one practicing wrongly. And who is practicing rightly? It’s someone who has right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called one practicing rightly.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, whoever has missed out on the noble eightfold path has missed out on the noble path to the complete ending of suffering. Whoever has undertaken the noble eightfold path has undertaken the noble path to the complete ending of suffering. And what is the noble eightfold path? It is right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. Whoever has missed out on the noble eightfold path has missed out on the noble path to the complete ending of suffering. Whoever has undertaken the noble eightfold path has undertaken the noble path to the complete ending of suffering.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, when these eight things are developed and cultivated they lead to going from the near shore to the far shore. What eight? They are right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. When these eight things are developed and cultivated they lead to going from the near shore to the far shore.”

That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

“Few are those among humans who cross to the far shore. The rest just run around on the near shore.

When the teaching is well explained, the people who practice accordingly will cross over Death’s dominion so hard to pass.

Rid of dark qualities, an astute person would develop the bright. Having left home for homelessness in seclusion, where joy is hard,

they’d long for satisfaction there. Forsaking sensual pleasures, owning nothing, an astute person would cleanse themselves of mental corruptions.

And those whose minds are rightly developed in the awakening factors; who, letting go of attachments, delight in not grasping— with defilements ended, brilliant, they are quenched in this world.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you the ascetic life and the fruits of the ascetic life. Listen … And what is the ascetic life? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the ascetic life. And what are the fruits of the ascetic life? The fruits of stream-entry, once-return, non-return, and perfection. These are called the fruits of the ascetic life.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you the ascetic life and the goal of the ascetic life. Listen … And what is the ascetic life? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the ascetic life. And what is the goal of the ascetic life? The ending of greed, hate, and delusion. This is called the goal of the ascetic life.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you life as a brahmin and the fruits of life as a brahmin. Listen … And what is life as a brahmin? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called life as a brahmin. And what are the fruits of life as a brahmin? The fruits of stream-entry, once-return, non-return, and perfection. These are called the fruits of life as a brahmin.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you life as a brahmin and the goal of life as a brahmin. Listen … And what is life as a brahmin? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called life as a brahmin. And what is the goal of life as a brahmin? The ending of greed, hate, and delusion. This is called the goal of life as a brahmin.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you the spiritual path and the fruits of the spiritual path. Listen … And what is the spiritual path? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the spiritual path. And what are the fruits of the spiritual path? The fruits of stream-entry, once-return, non-return, and perfection. These are called the fruits of the spiritual path.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you the spiritual path and the goal of the spiritual path. Listen … And what is the spiritual path? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the spiritual path. And what is the goal of the spiritual path? The ending of greed, hate, and delusion. This is called the goal of the spiritual path.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, if wanderers who follow another religion were to ask you: ‘Reverends, what’s the goal of leading the spiritual life under the ascetic Gotama?’ You should answer them like this: ‘The goal of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is the fading away of greed.’ If wanderers of other religions were to ask you: ‘Is there a path and a practice for the fading away of greed?’ You should answer them like this: ‘There is a path and a practice for the fading away of greed.’ And what is that path, what is that practice for the fading away of greed? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is the path, this is the practice for the fading away of greed. When questioned by wanderers of other religions, that’s how you should answer them.”

“Mendicants, if wanderers who follow another religion were to ask you: ‘Reverends, what’s the goal of leading the spiritual life under the ascetic Gotama?’ You should answer them like this: ‘The goal of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is to give up the fetters.’ … ‘… to uproot the underlying tendencies.’ … ‘… to completely understand the course of time.’ … ‘… to end the defilements.’ … ‘… to realize the fruit of knowledge and freedom.’ … ‘… for knowledge and vision.’ …”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, if wanderers who follow another religion were to ask you: ‘Reverends, what’s the goal of leading the spiritual life under the ascetic Gotama?’ You should answer them like this: ‘The goal of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping.’ If wanderers of other religions were to ask you: ‘Is there a path and a practice for complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping?’ You should answer them like this: ‘There is a path and a practice for complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping.’ And what is that path, what is that practice for complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is the path, this is the practice for complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping. When questioned by wanderers of other religions, that’s how you should answer them.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, the dawn is the forerunner and harbinger of the sunrise. In the same way good friendship is the forerunner and harbinger of the noble eightfold path for a mendicant. A mendicant with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

“Mendicants, the dawn is the forerunner and harbinger of the sunrise. In the same way accomplishment in ethics is the forerunner and harbinger of the arising of the noble eightfold path for a mendicant. A mendicant accomplished in ethics can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. …” … “… accomplishment in enthusiasm …” “… accomplishment in self-development …” “… accomplishment in view …” “… accomplishment in diligence …”

“Mendicants, the dawn is the forerunner and harbinger of the sunrise. In the same way accomplishment in rational application of mind is the forerunner and harbinger of the noble eightfold path for a mendicant. A mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

“Mendicants, the dawn is the forerunner and harbinger of the sunrise. In the same way good friendship is the forerunner and harbinger of the noble eightfold path for a mendicant. A mendicant with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

“Mendicants, the dawn is the forerunner and harbinger of the sunrise. In the same way accomplishment in ethics is the forerunner and harbinger of the noble eightfold path for a mendicant. …” “… accomplishment in enthusiasm …” “… accomplishment in self-development …” “… accomplishment in view …” “… accomplishment in diligence …”

“… accomplishment in rational application of mind. A mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, one thing helps give rise to the noble eightfold path. What one thing? It’s good friendship. A mendicant with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

“Mendicants, one thing helps give rise to the noble eightfold path. What one thing? It’s accomplishment in ethics. …” “… accomplishment in enthusiasm …” “… accomplishment in self-development …” “… accomplishment in view …” “… accomplishment in diligence …”

“… accomplishment in rational application of mind. A mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, one thing helps give rise to the noble eightfold path. What one thing? It’s good friendship. A mendicant with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, one thing helps give rise to the noble eightfold path. What one thing? It’s accomplishment in ethics. …” “… accomplishment in enthusiasm …” “… accomplishment in self-development …” “… accomplishment in view …” “… accomplishment in diligence …”

“… accomplishment in rational application of mind. A mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to the noble eightfold path, or, if it’s already arisen, fully develops it like good friendship. A mendicant with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to the noble eightfold path, or, if it’s already arisen, fully develops it like accomplishment in ethics. …” “… accomplishment in enthusiasm …” “… accomplishment in self-development …” “… accomplishment in view …” “… accomplishment in diligence …”

“… accomplishment in rational application of mind. A mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to the noble eightfold path, or, if it’s already arisen, fully develops it like good friendship. A mendicant with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to the noble eightfold path, or, if it’s already arisen, fully develops it like accomplishment in ethics. …” “… accomplishment in enthusiasm …” “… accomplishment in self-development …” “… accomplishment in view …” “… accomplishment in diligence …”

“… accomplishment in rational application of mind. A mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

“Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. …” “… the Aciravatī River …” “… the Sarabhū River …” “… the Mahī River …”

“Mendicants, all the great rivers—that is, the Ganges, Yamunā, Aciravatī, Sarabhū, and Mahī—slant, slope, and incline toward the east. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

“Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. In the same way, a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. …”

“Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. …” “… the Aciravatī River …” “… the Sarabhū River …” “… the Mahī River …” “… all the great rivers …”

“Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

“Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. …”

“… the Aciravatī River …”

“… the Sarabhū River …”

“… the Mahī River …”

“… all the great rivers …”

“Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

“Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. …”

“… the Aciravatī River …”

“… the Sarabhū River …”

“… the Mahī River …”

“… all the great rivers …”

“Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, whose objective, destination, and culmination is freedom from death. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

“Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. …”

“… the Aciravatī River …”

“… the Sarabhū River …”

“… the Mahī River …”

“… all the great rivers …”

“Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, whose objective, destination, and culmination is freedom from death. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

“Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. …” “… the Aciravatī River …” “… the Sarabhū River …” “… the Mahī River …” “… all the great rivers …”

“Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

“Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. …” “… the Aciravatī River …” “… the Sarabhū River …” “… the Mahī River …” “… all the great rivers …”

“Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

“Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. …” “… the Aciravatī River …” “… the Sarabhū River …” “… the Mahī River …” “… all the great rivers …”

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha, is said to be the best of all sentient beings—be they footless, with two feet, four feet, or many feet; with form or formless; with perception or without perception or with neither perception nor non-perception. In the same way, all skillful qualities are rooted in diligence and meet at diligence, and diligence is said to be the best of them. A mendicant who is diligent can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant who is diligent develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant who is diligent develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.

Mendicants, the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha, is said to be the best of all sentient beings—be they footless, with two feet, four feet, or many feet; with form or formless; with perception or without perception or with neither perception nor non-perception. In the same way, all skillful qualities are rooted in diligence and meet at diligence, and diligence is said to be the best of them. A mendicant who is diligent can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant who is diligent develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant who is diligent develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.

Mendicants, the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha, is said to be the best of all sentient beings—be they footless, with two feet, four feet, or many feet; with form or formless; with perception or without perception or with neither perception nor non-perception. In the same way, all skillful qualities are rooted in diligence and meet at diligence, and diligence is said to be the best of them. A mendicant who is diligent can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant who is diligent develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, whose objective, destination, and culmination is freedom from death. That’s how a mendicant who is diligent develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.

Mendicants, the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha, is said to be the best of all sentient beings—be they footless, with two feet, four feet, or many feet; with form or formless; with perception or without perception or with neither perception nor non-perception. In the same way, all skillful qualities are rooted in diligence and meet at diligence, and diligence is said to be the best of them. A mendicant who is diligent can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant who is diligent develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. That’s how a mendicant who is diligent develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

“The footprints of all creatures that walk can fit inside an elephant’s footprint. So an elephant’s footprint is said to be the biggest of them all. In the same way, all skillful qualities are rooted in diligence and meet at diligence, and diligence is said to be the best of them. A mendicant who is diligent can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant who is diligent develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. … That’s how a mendicant who is diligent develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

“Mendicants, the rafters of a bungalow all lean to the peak, slope to the peak, and meet at the peak, so the peak is said to be the topmost of them all. In the same way …” (Tell in full as in the previous discourse.)

“Of all kinds of fragrant root, spikenard is said to be the best. …”

“Of all kinds of fragrant heartwood, red sandalwood is said to be the best. …”

“Of all kinds of fragrant flower, jasmine is said to be the best. …”

“All lesser kings are vassals of a wheel-turning monarch, so the wheel-turning monarch is said to be the foremost of them all. …”

“The radiance of all the stars is not worth a sixteenth part of the moon’s radiance, so the moon’s radiance is said to be the best of them all. …”

“In the autumn, the heavens are sunny and cloudless. And as the sun is rising to the firmament, having dispelled all the darkness of space, it shines and glows and dazzles. …”

“Mendicants, cloth from Kāsi is said to be the best kind of woven cloth. …” (Tell these in full as in the section on the Realized One.)

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, all the hard work that gets done depends on the earth and is grounded on the earth. In the same way, a mendicant develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path depending on and grounded on ethics. And how does a mendicant grounded on ethics develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant grounded on ethics develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”