Aṅguttara Nikāya
X. Dasaka-Nipāta
VI. Sa-Citta Vagga
The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha
X. The Book of the Tens
VI. One's Own Mind
Sutta 53
Ṭhiti Suttaɱ
Standstill
Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi.
© 2012 Bhikkhu Bodhi
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[1][pts] "Bhikkhus, I do not praise even a standstill in wholesome qualities, much less decline.
I praise only growth in wholesome qualities, not a standstill or deterioration.
"And how is there deterioration — not a standstill or growth — in wholesome qualities?
Here, a bhikkhu has a certain degree of faith, virtuous behavior, learning, renunciation, wisdom, and discernment.
Those qualities of his do not remain the same or increase.
This, I say, is deterioration rather than a standstill or growth in wholesome qualities.
Thus there is deterioration — not a standstill or growth — in wholesome qualities.
"And how is there a standstill — not deterioration or growth — in wholesome qualities?
Here, a bhikkhu has a certain degree of faith, virtuous behavior, learning, renunciation, wisdom, and discernment.
Those qualities of his do not deteriorate or increase.
This, I say, is a standstill rather than deterioration or growth in wholesome qualities.
Thus there is a standstill — not deterioration or growth — in wholesome qualities.
"And how is there growth — not a standstill or deterioration — in wholesome qualities?
Here, a bhikkhu has a certain degree of faith, virtuous behavior, learning, renunciation, wisdom, and discernment.
Those qualities of his do not remain the same or deteriorate.
This, I say, is growth rather than a standstill or deterioration in wholesome qualities.
Thus there is growth — not a standstill or deterioration — in wholesome qualities.
"Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu who is not skilled in the ways of others' minds [should train]:
'I will be skilled in the ways of my own mind.'
... [[97], [98]] ... [as in 10:51 down to:] ...
But if, by such self-examination, a bhikkhu knows:
'I am often without longing ... and concentrated,' then he should base himself on those same wholesome qualities and make a further effort to reach the destruction of the taints."
