Saṃyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
46. Bojjhanga Saṃyutta
4. Nīvaraṇa Vagga
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
5. The Great Chapter
46. Kindred Sayings on the Limbs of Wisdom
4. On Hindrances
Sutta 31
Paṭhama Kusalā Suttaṃ
The Good (a)
Translated by F. L. Woodward
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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Once the Exalted One once addressed the monks,
saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.
The Exalted One said:
"Whatsoever conditions, monks,
are the constituent parts of good and bad,[1]
but are on the side of[2] goodness,
all of them have their root in earnestness,
converge in earnestness;
earnestness is reckoned the chief of those conditions.
Of the monk who is earnest
we may expect that he will cultivate
the seven limbs of wisdom,
that he will make much of
the seven limbs of wisdom.
And how does the earnest monk
cultivate and make much of
the seven limbs of wisdom?
Herein a monk cultivates the limb of wisdom
that is mindfulness,
which is based on seclusion,
on dispassion,
on cessation,
which ends in self-surrender.
He cultivates the limb of wisdom
that is investigation of the Norm,
which is based on seclusion,
on dispassion,
on cessation,
which ends in self-surrender.
He cultivates the limb of wisdom
that is energy,
which is based on seclusion,
on dispassion,
on cessation,
which ends in self-surrender.
He cultivates the limb of wisdom
that is zest,
which is based on seclusion,
on dispassion,
on cessation,
which ends in self-surrender.
He cultivates the limb of wisdom
that is tranquillity,
which is based on seclusion,
on dispassion,
on cessation,
which ends in self-surrender.
He cultivates the limb of wisdom
that is concentration,
which is based on seclusion,
on dispassion,
on cessation,
which ends in self-surrender.
He cultivates the limb of wisdom
that is equanimity,
which is based on seclusion,
on dispassion,
on cessation,
which ends in self-surrender.
That, monks, is how a monk who is earnest
cultivates the seven limbs of wisdom,
makes much of the seven limbs of wisdom."
[1] For the kusalākusalā cf. M. i, 489.
[2] Pakkhikā or pakkhiyā (infra, text 97); lit, 'the wings or sides.' Cf. Compendium, 179 n.; Dialog. iii, 93.
