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- Samyutta Nikaya XLVI.1
- Himavanta Sutta
- The Himalayas (On the Factors of Awakening)
- For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma
"Monks, it is in dependence on the Himalayas, the king of
mountains, that serpents (nagas) grow in body and gain in strength. Having grown in body
and gained strength there, they descend to the small lakes. Having descended to the small
lakes, they descend to the large lakes...the small rivers...the large rivers...to the
great ocean. There they attain greatness & prosperity in terms of the body.
"In the same way, it is in dependence on virtue, established on virtue, having
developed & pursued the seven factors of awakening, that a monk
attains to greatness & prosperity in terms of mental qualities. And how is it that a
monk -- in dependence on virtue, established on virtue, having developed & pursued the
seven factors of awakening -- attains to greatness & prosperity in terms of mental
qualities?
"There is the case where a monk develops mindfulness as a factor of
awakening dependent on seclusion, dependent on dispassion, dependent on cessation,
resulting in relinquishment. He develops analysis of qualities as a factor of
awakening...persistence as a factor of awakening...rapture as a factor of
awakening...serenity as a factor of awakening...concentration as a factor of
awakening...equanimity as a factor of awakening dependent on seclusion, dependent
on dispassion, dependent on cessation, resulting in relinquishment. This is how a monk --
in dependence on virtue, established on virtue, having developed & pursued the seven
factors of awakening -- attains to greatness & prosperity in terms of mental
qualities."