Saɱyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
49. Samma-p-Padhāna Saɱyutta
2. Appamāda Vagga

The Book of the Kindred Sayings
5. The Great Chapter
49. Kindred Sayings on the Right Efforts
2. Earnestness

Suttas 13-22

Translated by F. L. Woodward
Edited by Mrs. Rhys Davids

Copyright The Pali Text Society
Commercial Rights Reserved

For details see Terms of Use.

 

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[220]

Sutta 13

Tathāgata

[13.1] THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.

The Exalted One said:

[13.2] "Just as, monks, of all creatures,
whether footless or having two,
four,
or many feet;
whether having forms or formless;
whether conscious or unconscious,
or neither conscious nor unconscious, —
of these the Tathāgata,
the Arahant,
the fully Enlightened One,
is reckoned chief; —
even so, monks,
of all profitable conditions which are rooted in earnestness,
which join together in earnestness, —
of those conditions
earnestness is reckoned chief.

Of the earnest monk
it may be expected
that he will cultivate,
that he will make much of
the four right efforts.

And how, monks,
does a monk who is earnest
cultivate
and make much of
the four right efforts?

Herein a monk starts desire
for the non-arising of ill,
unprofitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the abandoning of ill,
unprofitable states
that have arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the arising
of profitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the establishing
of profitable states
that have arisen,
for their non-confusion,
for their more-becoming,
for their increase,
cultivation
and fulfilment:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

Thus, monks, a monk who is earnest
cultivates
and makes much of
the four right efforts."

 

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Sutta 14

The Foot

[14.1] THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.

The Exalted One said:

[14.2] "Just as, monks, of all the foot-characteristics
of such creatures as roam about
are joined together in the foot of the elephant,
and as the elephant's foot
in size
is reckoned chief,
even so, monks, of all profitable conditions
which are rooted in earnestness,
which join together in earnestness, —
of those conditions
earnestness is reckoned chief.

Of the earnest monk
it may be expected
that he will cultivate,
that he will make much of
the four right efforts.

And how, monks,
does a monk who is earnest
cultivate
and make much of
the four right efforts?

Herein a monk starts desire
for the non-arising of ill,
unprofitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the abandoning of ill,
unprofitable states
that have arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the arising
of profitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the establishing
of profitable states
that have arisen,
for their non-confusion,
for their more-becoming,
for their increase,
cultivation
and fulfilment:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

Thus, monks, a monk who is earnest
cultivates
and makes much of
the four right efforts."

 

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Sutta 15

The Roof-peak

[15.1] THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.

The Exalted One said:

[15.2] "Just as, monks, in a peaked house
all the rafters whatsoever
go together to the roof-peak,
slope to the roof-peak,
are joined together in the roof-peak,
and of them
the peak is reckoned chief, —
even so, monks, of all profitable conditions,
which are rooted in earnestness,
which join together in earnestness, —
of those conditions
earnestness is reckoned chief.

Of the earnest monk
it may be expected
that he will cultivate,
that he will make much of
the four right efforts.

And how, monks,
does a monk who is earnest
cultivate
and make much of
the four right efforts?

Herein a monk starts desire
for the non-arising of ill,
unprofitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the abandoning of ill,
unprofitable states
that have arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the arising
of profitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the establishing
of profitable states
that have arisen,
for their non-confusion,
for their more-becoming,
for their increase,
cultivation
and fulfilment:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

Thus, monks, a monk who is earnest
cultivates
and makes much of
the four right efforts."

 

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Sutta 16

Wood

[16.1] THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.

The Exalted One said:

[16.2] "Just as, monks, of all scented woods whatsoever
the dark sandal-wood is reckoned chief, —
even so of all profitable conditions,
which are rooted in earnestness,
which join together in earnestness, —
of those conditions
earnestness is reckoned chief.

Of the earnest monk
it may be expected
that he will cultivate,
that he will make much of
the four right efforts.

And how, monks,
does a monk who is earnest
cultivate
and make much of
the four right efforts?

Herein a monk starts desire
for the non-arising of ill,
unprofitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the abandoning of ill,
unprofitable states
that have arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the arising
of profitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the establishing
of profitable states
that have arisen,
for their non-confusion,
for their more-becoming,
for their increase,
cultivation
and fulfilment:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

Thus, monks, a monk who is earnest
cultivates
and makes much of
the four right efforts."

 

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Sutta 17

Heart-wood

[17.1] THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.

The Exalted One said:

[17.2] "Just as, monks, of all scented heart-woods whatsoever
the red saldal-wood is reckoned chief, —
even so, monks, of all profitable conditions,
which are rooted in earnestness,
which join together in earnestness, —
of those conditions
earnestness is reckoned chief.

Of the earnest monk
it may be expected
that he will cultivate,
that he will make much of
the four right efforts.

And how, monks,
does a monk who is earnest
cultivate
and make much of
the four right efforts?

Herein a monk starts desire
for the non-arising of ill,
unprofitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the abandoning of ill,
unprofitable states
that have arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the arising
of profitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the establishing
of profitable states
that have arisen,
for their non-confusion,
for their more-becoming,
for their increase,
cultivation
and fulfilment:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

Thus, monks, a monk who is earnest
cultivates
and makes much of
the four right efforts."

 

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Sutta 18

Jasmine

[18.1] THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.

The Exalted One said:

[18.2] "Just as, monks, of all scented flowers whatsoever
the jasmine is reckoned chief,
even so, monks, of all profitable conditions,
which are rooted in earnestness,
which join together in earnestness, —
of those conditions
earnestness is reckoned chief.

Of the earnest monk
it may be expected
that he will cultivate,
that he will make much of
the four right efforts.

And how, monks,
does a monk who is earnest
cultivate
and make much of
the four right efforts?

Herein a monk starts desire
for the non-arising of ill,
unprofitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the abandoning of ill,
unprofitable states
that have arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the arising
of profitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the establishing
of profitable states
that have arisen,
for their non-confusion,
for their more-becoming,
for their increase,
cultivation
and fulfilment:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

Thus, monks, a monk who is earnest
cultivates
and makes much of
the four right efforts."

 

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Sutta 19

Prince

[19.1] THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.

The Exalted One said:

[19.2] "Just as, monks, all petty princes whatsoever
follow in the train of the universal monarch,
even so, monks, of all profitable conditions,
which are rooted in earnestness,
which join together in earnestness, —
of those conditions
earnestness is reckoned chief.

Of the earnest monk
it may be expected
that he will cultivate,
that he will make much of
the four right efforts.

And how, monks,
does a monk who is earnest
cultivate
and make much of
the four right efforts?

Herein a monk starts desire
for the non-arising of ill,
unprofitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the abandoning of ill,
unprofitable states
that have arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the arising
of profitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the establishing
of profitable states
that have arisen,
for their non-confusion,
for their more-becoming,
for their increase,
cultivation
and fulfilment:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

Thus, monks, a monk who is earnest
cultivates
and makes much of
the four right efforts."

 

---

 

Sutta 20

Moon

[20.1] THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.

The Exalted One said:

[20.2] "Just as, monks, of all starry bodies whatsoever
the radiance does not equal one-sixteenth part
of the radiance of the moon;
just as the moon is reckoned chief of them,
even so, monks, of all profitable conditions,
which are rooted in earnestness,
which join together in earnestness, —
of those conditions
earnestness is reckoned chief.

Of the earnest monk
it may be expected
that he will cultivate,
that he will make much of
the four right efforts.

And how, monks,
does a monk who is earnest
cultivate
and make much of
the four right efforts?

Herein a monk starts desire
for the non-arising of ill,
unprofitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the abandoning of ill,
unprofitable states
that have arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the arising
of profitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the establishing
of profitable states
that have arisen,
for their non-confusion,
for their more-becoming,
for their increase,
cultivation
and fulfilment:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

Thus, monks, a monk who is earnest
cultivates
and makes much of
the four right efforts."

 

---

 

Sutta 21

Sun

[21.1] THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.

The Exalted One said:

[21.2] "Just as, monks, in the autumn season,
when the sky is opened up
and cleared of clouds,
the sun,
leaping up into the firmament,
drives away all darkness,
and shines
and burns
and flashes forth,
even so, monks, of all profitable conditions,
which are rooted in earnestness,
which join together in earnestness, —
of those conditions
earnestness is reckoned chief.

Of the earnest monk
it may be expected
that he will cultivate,
that he will make much of
the four right efforts.

And how, monks,
does a monk who is earnest
cultivate
and make much of
the four right efforts?

Herein a monk starts desire
for the non-arising of ill,
unprofitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the abandoning of ill,
unprofitable states
that have arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the arising
of profitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the establishing
of profitable states
that have arisen,
for their non-confusion,
for their more-becoming,
for their increase,
cultivation
and fulfilment:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

Thus, monks, a monk who is earnest
cultivates
and makes much of
the four right efforts."

 

---

 

Sutta 22

Cloth

[22.1] THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.

The Exalted One said:

[22.2] "Just as, monks, of all woven cloths whatsoever
the cloth of Benares is reckoned chief,
even so, monks, of all profitable conditions,
which are rooted in earnestness,
which join together in earnestness, —
of those conditions
earnestness is reckoned chief.

Of the earnest monk
it may be expected
that he will cultivate,
that he will make much of
the four right efforts.

And how, monks,
does a monk who is earnest
cultivate
and make much of
the four right efforts?

Herein a monk starts desire
for the non-arising of ill,
unprofitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the abandoning of ill,
unprofitable states
that have arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the arising
of profitable states
not yet arisen:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

He starts desire
for the establishing
of profitable states
that have arisen,
for their non-confusion,
for their more-becoming,
for their increase,
cultivation
and fulfilment:
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind
(to this end).

Thus, monks, a monk who is earnest
cultivates
and makes much of
the four right efforts."