Samyutta Nikaya - Bojjhanga Samyutta II

Samyutta Nikaya - Bojjhanga Samyutta II

SN 46.51
Ahara Sutta
Food
(For the Factors for Awakening)
Translated from the Pali by
Thanissaro BhikkhuPTS: S v 102
CDB ii 1597



Source: Transcribed from a file provided by the translator.



Copyright © 1997 Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
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"Monks, I will teach you the feeding & starving of the five hindrances & of the
seven factors for Awakening. Listen & pay close attention. I will speak...
Feeding the Hindrances
"And what is the food for the arising of unarisen sensual desire, or for the
growth & increase of sensual desire once it has arisen? There is the theme of
beauty. To foster inappropriate attention to it: This is the food for the
arising of unarisen sensual desire, or for the growth & increase of sensual
desire once it has arisen.
"And what is the food for the arising of unarisen ill will, or for the growth &
increase of ill will once it has arisen? There is the theme of resistance. To
foster inappropriate attention to it: This is the food for the arising of
unarisen ill will, or for the growth & increase of ill will once it has arisen.
"And what is the food for the arising of unarisen sloth & drowsiness, or for the
growth & increase of sloth & drowsiness once it has arisen? There are boredom,
weariness, yawning, drowsiness after a meal, & sluggishness of awareness. To
foster inappropriate attention to them: This is the food for the arising of
unarisen sloth & drowsiness, or for the growth & increase of sloth & drowsiness
once it has arisen.
"And what is the food for the arising of unarisen restlessness & anxiety, or for
the growth & increase of restlessness & anxiety once it has arisen? There is
non-stillness of awareness. To foster inappropriate attention to that: This is
the food for the arising of unarisen restlessness & anxiety, or for the growth &
increase of restlessness & anxiety once it has arisen.
"And what is the food for the arising of unarisen uncertainty, or for the growth
& increase of uncertainty once it has arisen? There are phenomena that act as a
foothold for uncertainty. To foster inappropriate attention to them: This is the
food for the arising of unarisen uncertainty, or for the growth & increase of
uncertainty once it has arisen.
Feeding the Factors for Awakening
"Now, what is the food for the arising of unarisen mindfulness as a factor for
Awakening, or for the growth & increase of mindfulness as a factor for Awakening
once it has arisen? There are mental qualities that act as a foothold for
mindfulness as a factor for Awakening [well-purified virtue & views made
straight]. To foster appropriate attention to them: This is the food for the
arising of unarisen mindfulness as a factor for Awakening, or for the growth &
increase of mindfulness as a factor for Awakening once it has arisen.
"And what is the food for the arising of unarisen analysis of qualities as a
factor for Awakening, or for the growth & increase of analysis of qualities...
once it has arisen? There are mental qualities that are skillful & unskillful,
blameworthy & blameless, gross & refined, siding with darkness & with light. To
foster appropriate attention to them: This is the food for the arising of
unarisen analysis of qualities as a factor for Awakening, or for the growth &
increase of analysis of qualities... once it has arisen.
"And what is the food for the arising of unarisen persistence as a factor for
Awakening, or for the growth & increase of persistence... once it has arisen?
There is the potential for effort, the potential for exertion, the potential for
striving. To foster appropriate attention to them: This is the food for the
arising of unarisen persistence as a factor for Awakening, or for the growth &
increase of persistence... once it has arisen.
"And what is the food for the arising of unarisen rapture as a factor for
Awakening, or for the growth & increase of rapture... once it has arisen? There
are mental qualities that act as a foothold for rapture as a factor for
Awakening. To foster appropriate attention to them: This is the food for the
arising of unarisen rapture as a factor for Awakening, or for the growth &
increase of rapture... once it has arisen.
"And what is the food for the arising of unarisen serenity as a factor for
Awakening, or for the growth & increase of serenity... once it has arisen? There
is physical serenity & there is mental serenity. To foster appropriate attention
to them: This is the food for the arising of unarisen serenity as a factor for
Awakening, or for the growth & increase of serenity... once it has arisen.
"And what is the food for the arising of unarisen concentration as a factor for
Awakening, or for the growth & increase of concentration... once it has arisen?
There are themes for calm, themes for non-distraction [these are the four frames
of reference]. To foster appropriate attention to them: This is the food for the
arising of unarisen concentration as a factor for Awakening, or for the growth &
increase of concentration... once it has arisen.
"And what is the food for the arising of unarisen equanimity as a factor for
Awakening, or for the growth & increase of equanimity... once it has arisen?
There are mental qualities that act as a foothold for equanimity as a factor for
Awakening. To foster appropriate attention to them: This is the food for the
arising of unarisen equanimity as a factor for Awakening, or for the growth &
increase of equanimity as a factor for Awakening once it has arisen.
Starving the Hindrances
"Now, what is lack of food for the arising of unarisen sensual desire, or for
the growth & increase of sensual desire once it has arisen? There is the theme
of unattractiveness. To foster appropriate attention to it: This is lack of food
for the arising of unarisen sensual desire, or for the growth & increase of
sensual desire once it has arisen.
And what is lack of food for the arising of unarisen ill will, or for the growth
& increase of ill will once it has arisen? There is awareness-release.1 To
foster appropriate attention to that: This is lack of food for the arising of
unarisen ill will, or for the growth & increase of ill will once it has arisen.
"And what is lack of food for the arising of unarisen sloth & drowsiness, or for
the growth & increase of sloth & drowsiness once it has arisen? There is the
potential for effort, the potential for exertion, the potential for striving. To
foster appropriate attention to them: This is lack of food for the arising of
unarisen sloth & drowsiness, or for the growth & increase of sloth & drowsiness
once it has arisen.
"And what is lack of food for the arising of unarisen restlessness & anxiety, or
for the growth & increase of restlessness & anxiety once it has arisen? There is
the stilling of awareness. To foster appropriate attention to that: This is lack
of food for the arising of unarisen restlessness & anxiety, or for the growth &
increase of restlessness & anxiety once it has arisen.
"And what is lack of food for the arising of unarisen uncertainty, or for the
growth & increase of uncertainty once it has arisen? There are mental qualities
that are skillful & unskillful, blameworthy & blameless, gross & refined, siding
with darkness & with light. To foster appropriate attention to them: This is
lack of food for the arising of unarisen uncertainty, or for the growth &
increase of uncertainty once it has arisen.
Starving the Factors for Awakening
"Now, what is lack of food for the arising of unarisen mindfulness as a factor
for Awakening, or for the growth & increase of mindfulness as a factor for
Awakening once it has arisen? There are mental qualities that act as a foothold
for mindfulness as a factor for Awakening. Not fostering attention to them: This
is lack of food for the arising of unarisen mindfulness as a factor for
Awakening, or for the growth & increase of mindfulness as a factor for Awakening
once it has arisen.
"And what is lack of food for the arising of unarisen analysis of qualities as a
factor for Awakening, or for the growth & increase of analysis of qualities...
once it has arisen? There are mental qualities that are skillful & unskillful,
blameworthy & blameless, gross & refined, siding with darkness & with light. Not
fostering attention to them: This is lack of food for the arising of unarisen
analysis of qualities as a factor for Awakening, or for the growth & increase of
analysis of qualities... once it has arisen.
"And what is lack of food for the arising of unarisen persistence as a factor
for Awakening, or for the growth & increase of persistence... once it has
arisen? There is the potential for effort, the potential for exertion, the
potential for striving. Not fostering attention to them: This is lack of food
for the arising of unarisen persistence as a factor for Awakening, or for the
growth & increase of persistence... once it has arisen.
"And what is lack of food for the arising of unarisen rapture as a factor for
Awakening, or for the growth & increase of rapture... once it has arisen? There
are mental qualities that act as a foothold for rapture as a factor for
Awakening. Not fostering attention to them: This is lack of food for the arising
of unarisen rapture as a factor for Awakening, or for the growth & increase of
rapture... once it has arisen.
"And what is lack of food for the arising of unarisen serenity as a factor for
Awakening, or for the growth & increase of serenity... once it has arisen? There
is bodily serenity & there is mental serenity. To foster inappropriate attention
to them: This is lack of food for the arising of unarisen serenity as a factor
for Awakening, or for the growth & increase of serenity... once it has arisen.
"And what is lack of food for the arising of unarisen concentration as a factor
for Awakening, or for the growth & increase of concentration... once it has
arisen? There are the themes for concentration, themes for non-confusion. Not
fostering attention to them: This is lack of food for the arising of unarisen
concentration as a factor for Awakening, or for the growth & increase of
concentration... once it has arisen.
"And what is lack of food for the arising of unarisen equanimity as a factor for
Awakening, or for the growth & increase of equanimity as a factor for Awakening
once it has arisen? There are mental qualities that act as a foothold for
equanimity as a factor for Awakening. Not fostering attention to them: This is
lack of food for the arising of unarisen equanimity as a factor for Awakening,
or for the growth & increase of equanimity as a factor for Awakening once it has
arisen."



1. Through good will, compassion, appreciation, or equanimity.
See also: AN 5.51


SN 46.52

§ 94. Now what is the manner of reckoning by which the seven factors for Awakening are fourteen?

[1] Any mindfulness with regard to internal qualities is mindfulness as a factor for Awakening. And any mindfulness with regard to external qualities is also mindfulness as a factor for Awakening. Thus this forms the definition of 'mindfulness as a factor for Awakening,' and it is in this manner that it is two.

[2] Any time one examines, investigates, & scrutinizes internal qualities with discernment, that is analysis of qualities as a factor for Awakening. And any time one examines, investigates, & scrutinizes external qualities with discernment, that too is analysis of qualities as a factor for Awakening. Thus this forms the definition of 'analysis of qualities as a factor for Awakening,' and it is in this manner that it is two.

[3] Any bodily persistence is persistence as a factor for Awakening. And any mental persistence is also persistence as a factor for Awakening. Thus this forms the definition of 'persistence as a factor for Awakening,' and it is in this manner that it is two.

[4] Any rapture accompanied by directed thought & evaluation is rapture as a factor for Awakening. And any rapture unaccompanied by directed thought & evaluation is also rapture as a factor for Awakening. Thus this forms the definition of 'rapture as a factor for Awakening,' and it is in this manner that it is two.

[5] Any bodily serenity is serenity as a factor for Awakening. And any mental serenity is also serenity as a factor for Awakening. Thus this forms the definition of 'serenity as a factor for Awakening,' and it is in this manner that it is two.

[6] Any concentration accompanied by directed thought & evaluation is concentration as a factor for Awakening. And any concentration unaccompanied by directed thought & evaluation is also concentration as a factor for Awakening. Thus this forms the definition of 'concentration as a factor for Awakening,' and it is in this manner that it is two.

[7] Any equanimity with regard to internal qualities is equanimity as a factor for Awakening. And any equanimity with regard to external qualities is also equanimity as a factor for Awakening. Thus this forms the definition of 'equanimity as a factor for Awakening,' and it is in this manner that it is two.

This is the manner of reckoning by which the seven factors for Awakening are fourteen.


SN 46.53

§ 97. Fire. Monks, on occasions when the mind is sluggish, that is the wrong time to develop serenity as a factor for Awakening, concentration as a factor for Awakening, equanimity as a factor for Awakening. Why is that? The sluggish mind is hard to raise up by those mental qualities. Just as if a man, wanting to make a small fire blaze up, were to place wet grass in it, wet cow dung, & wet sticks; were to give it a spray of water and smother it with dust. Is it possible that he would make the small fire blaze up?

No, lord.

In the same way, when the mind is sluggish, that is the wrong time to develop serenity as a factor for Awakening, concentration as a factor for Awakening, equanimity as a factor for Awakening. Why is that? The sluggish mind is hard to raise up by those mental qualities.

Now, on occasions when the mind is sluggish, that is the right time to develop analysis of qualities as a factor for Awakening, persistence as a factor for Awakening, rapture as a factor for Awakening. Why is that? The sluggish mind is easy to raise up by those mental qualities. Just as if a man, wanting to make a small fire blaze up, were to place dry grass in it, dry cow dung, & dry sticks; were to blow on it with his mouth and not smother it with dust. Is it possible that he would make the small fire blaze up?

Yes, lord.

In the same way, when the mind is sluggish, that is the right time to develop analysis of qualities as a factor for Awakening, persistence as a factor for Awakening, rapture as a factor for Awakening...

Now, on occasions when the mind is restless, that is the wrong time to develop analysis of qualities as a factor for Awakening, persistence as a factor for Awakening, rapture as a factor for Awakening. Why is that? The restless mind is hard to calm down with those mental qualities. Just as if a man, wanting to put out a large fire, were to place dry grass in it, dry cow dung, & dry sticks; were to blow on it with his mouth and not smother it with dust. Is it possible that he would put it out?

No, lord.

In the same way, when the mind is restless, that is the wrong time to develop analysis of qualities as a factor for Awakening, persistence as a factor for Awakening, rapture as a factor for Awakening...

Now, on occasions when the mind is restless, that is the right time to develop serenity as a factor for Awakening, concentration as a factor for Awakening, equanimity as a factor for Awakening. Why is that? The restless mind is easy to calm down with those mental qualities. Just as if a man, wanting to put out a large fire, were to place wet grass in it, wet cow dung, & wet sticks; were to give it a spray of water and smother it with dust. Is it possible that he would put it out?

Yes, lord.

In the same way, when the mind is restless, that is the right time to develop serenity as a factor for Awakening, concentration as a factor for Awakening, equanimity as a factor for Awakening. Why is that? The restless mind is easy to calm down with those mental qualities.

As for mindfulness, I tell you, that is beneficial everywhere.


SN 46.54

§ 98. Awareness-release. And how is the awareness-release through good will developed, what is its destiny, what is its excellence, its reward, & its consummation?

There is the case where a monk develops mindfulness as a factor for Awakening accompanied by good will, dependent on seclusion... dispassion... cessation, resulting in letting go. He develops analysis of qualities as a factor for Awakening... persistence as a factor for Awakening... rapture as a factor for Awakening... serenity as a factor for Awakening... concentration as a factor for Awakening... equanimity as a factor for Awakening accompanied by good will, dependent on seclusion... dispassion... cessation, resulting in letting go. If he wants, he remains percipient of loathsomeness in the presence of what is not loathsome. If he wants, he remains percipient of unloathsomeness in the presence of what is loathsome. If he wants, he remains percipient of loathsomeness in the presence of what is not loathsome & what is. If he wants, he remains percipient of unloathsomeness in the presence of what is loathsome & what is not. If he wants — in the presence of what is loathsome & what is not — cutting himself off from both, he remains equanimous, alert, & mindful [§§46; 181]. Or he may enter & remain in the beautiful liberation. I tell you, monks, the awareness-release through good will has the beautiful as its excellence — in the case of one who has penetrated to no higher release.

And how is the awareness-release through compassion developed, what is its destiny, what is its excellence, its reward, & its consummation?

There is the case where a monk develops mindfulness as a factor for Awakening accompanied by compassion... etc... If he wants — in the presence of what is loathsome & what is not — cutting himself off from both, he remains equanimous, alert, & mindful. Or, with the complete transcending of perceptions of (physical) form, with the disappearance of perceptions of resistance, and not heeding perceptions of diversity, (perceiving,) 'Infinite space,' he enters & remains in the dimension of the infinitude of space. I tell you, monks, the awareness-release through compassion has the dimension of the infinitude of space as its excellence — in the case of one who has penetrated to no higher release.

And how is the awareness-release through empathetic joy developed, what is its destiny, what is its excellence, its reward, & its consummation?

There is the case where a monk develops mindfulness as a factor for Awakening accompanied by empathetic joy... etc... If he wants — in the presence of what is loathsome & what is not — cutting himself off from both, he remains equanimous, alert, & mindful. Or, with the complete transcending of the dimension of infinitude of space, (perceiving,) 'Infinite consciousness,' he enters & remains in the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness. I tell you, monks, the awareness-release through empathetic joy has the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness as its excellence — in the case of one who has penetrated to no higher release.

And how is the awareness-release through equanimity developed, what is its destiny, what is its excellence, its reward, & its consummation?

There is the case where a monk develops mindfulness as a factor for Awakening accompanied by equanimity... etc... If he wants — in the presence of what is loathsome & what is not — cutting himself off from both, he remains equanimous, alert, & mindful. Or, with the complete transcending of the dimension of infinitude of consciousness, (perceiving,) 'There is nothing,' he enters & remains in the dimension of nothingness. I tell you, monks, the awareness-release through equanimity has the dimension of nothingness as its excellence — in the case of one who has penetrated to no higher release.