Saṃyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
49. Samma-p-Padhāna Saṃyutta
1. Gaṇgā Peyyala
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
5. The Great Chapter
49. Kindred Sayings on the Right Efforts
1. Gangā-Repetition
Translated by F. L. Woodward
Copyright The Pali Text Society
Commercial Rights Reserved
For details see Terms of Use.
Sutta 1
[1.1] THUS have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four right efforts.[1]
What are the four?
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).
These, monks, are called
"the four right efforts."
Just as, monks, the river Ganges
flows to the East,
slides to the East,
tends to the East,
even so a monk,
by cultivating the four right efforts,
making much of the four right efforts,
flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna.
And how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
does a monk flow,
slide
and tend
to Nibbāna?
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).
That is how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
a monk flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna."
Sutta 2
[2.1] THUS have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four right efforts.
What are the four?
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).
These, monks, are called
"the four right efforts."
Just as, monks, the river Yamunā
flows to the East,
slides to the East,
tends to the East,
even so a monk,
by cultivating the four right efforts,
making much of the four right efforts,
flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna.
And how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
does a monk flow,
slide
and tend
to Nibbāna?
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).
That is how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
a monk flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna."
Sutta 3
[3.1] THUS have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four right efforts.
What are the four?
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).
These, monks, are called
"the four right efforts."
Just as, monks, the river Ac¨ravat¨
flows to the East,
slides to the East,
tends to the East,
even so a monk,
by cultivating the four right efforts,
making much of the four right efforts,
flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna.
And how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
does a monk flow,
slide
and tend
to Nibbāna?
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).
That is how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
a monk flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna."
Sutta 4
[4.1] THUS have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four right efforts.
What are the four?
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).
These, monks, are called
"the four right efforts."
Just as, monks, the river Sarabj¬
flows to the East,
slides to the East,
tends to the East,
even so a monk,
by cultivating the four right efforts,
making much of the four right efforts,
flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna.
And how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
does a monk flow,
slide
and tend
to Nibbāna?
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).
That is how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
a monk flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna."
Sutta 5
[5.1] THUS have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four right efforts.
What are the four?
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).
These, monks, are called
"the four right efforts."
Just as, monks, the river Mah¨
flows to the East,
slides to the East,
tends to the East,
even so a monk,
by cultivating the four right efforts,
making much of the four right efforts,
flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna.
And how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
does a monk flow,
slide
and tend
to Nibbāna?
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).
That is how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
a monk flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna."
Sutta 6
[6.1] THUS have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four right efforts.
What are the four?
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).
These, monks, are called
"the four right efforts."
Just as, monks, the river Ganges, Yamunā, Ac¨ravat¨, Sarabh¬, Mah¨
flows to the East,
slides to the East,
tends to the East,
even so a monk,
by cultivating the four right efforts,
making much of the four right efforts,
flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna.
And how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
does a monk flow,
slide
and tend
to Nibbāna?
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).
That is how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
a monk flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna."
Sutta 7
[7.1] THUS have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four right efforts.
What are the four?
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).
These, monks, are called
"the four right efforts."
Just as, monks, the river Ganges
flows to the Ocean,
slides to the Ocean,
tends to the Ocean,
even so a monk,
by cultivating the four right efforts,
making much of the four right efforts,
flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna.
And how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
does a monk flow,
slide
and tend
to Nibbāna?
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).
That is how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
a monk flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna."
Sutta 8
[8.1] THUS have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four right efforts.
What are the four?
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).
These, monks, are called
"the four right efforts."
Just as, monks, the river Yamunā
flows to the Ocean,
slides to the Ocean,
tends to the Ocean,
even so a monk,
by cultivating the four right efforts,
making much of the four right efforts,
flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna.
And how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
does a monk flow,
slide
and tend
to Nibbāna?
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).
That is how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
a monk flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna."
Sutta 9
[9.1] THUS have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four right efforts.
What are the four?
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).
These, monks, are called
"the four right efforts."
Just as, monks, the river Ac¨ravat¨
flows to the Ocean,
slides to the Ocean,
tends to the Ocean,
even so a monk,
by cultivating the four right efforts,
making much of the four right efforts,
flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna.
And how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
does a monk flow,
slide
and tend
to Nibbāna?
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).
That is how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
a monk flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna."
Sutta 10
[10.1] THUS have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four right efforts.
What are the four?
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).
These, monks, are called
"the four right efforts."
Just as, monks, the river Sarabj¬
flows to the Ocean,
slides to the Ocean,
tends to the Ocean,
even so a monk,
by cultivating the four right efforts,
making much of the four right efforts,
flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna.
And how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
does a monk flow,
slide
and tend
to Nibbāna?
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).
That is how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
a monk flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna."
Sutta 11
[11.1] THUS have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four right efforts.
What are the four?
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).
These, monks, are called
"the four right efforts."
Just as, monks, the river Mah¨
flows to the Ocean,
slides to the Ocean,
tends to the Ocean,
even so a monk,
by cultivating the four right efforts,
making much of the four right efforts,
flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna.
And how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
does a monk flow,
slide
and tend
to Nibbāna?
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).
That is how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
a monk flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna."
Sutta 12
[12.1] THUS have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatth¨.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four right efforts.
What are the four?
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).
These, monks, are called
"the four right efforts."
Just as, monks, the river Ganges, Yamunā, Ac¨ravat¨, Sarabh¬, Mah¨
flows to the Ocean,
slides to the Ocean,
tends to the Ocean,
even so a monk,
by cultivating the four right efforts,
making much of the four right efforts,
flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna.
And how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
does a monk flow,
slide
and tend
to Nibbāna?
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).
That is how cultivating,
how making much of
the four right efforts
a monk flows,
slides
and tends
to Nibbāna."
[1] Cf. Dialog. ii, 344.
