• Linked Discourses 46.51 Saṁyutta Nikāya 46.51
  • 6. Discussion 6. Sākacchavagga

Nourishing Āhārasutta

At Sāvatthī. Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

“Mendicants, I will teach you what fuels and what starves the five hindrances and the seven awakening factors. “Pañcannañca, bhikkhave, nīvaraṇānaṁ sattannañca bojjhaṅgānaṁ āhārañca anāhārañca desessāmi; Listen … taṁ suṇātha.

And what fuels the arising of sensual desire, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow? Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā kāmacchandassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā kāmacchandassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya? There is the feature of beauty. Atthi, bhikkhave, subhanimittaṁ. Frequent irrational application of mind to that Tattha ayonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—fuels the arising of sensual desire, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow. ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā kāmacchandassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā kāmacchandassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya.

And what fuels the arising of ill will, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow? Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā byāpādassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā byāpādassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya? There is the feature of harshness. Atthi, bhikkhave, paṭighanimittaṁ. Frequent irrational application of mind to that Tattha ayonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—fuels the arising of ill will, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow. ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā byāpādassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā byāpādassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya.

And what fuels the arising of dullness and drowsiness, or, when they have arisen, makes them increase and grow? Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā thinamiddhassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā thinamiddhassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya? There is discontent, sloth, yawning, sleepiness after eating, and mental sluggishness. Atthi, bhikkhave, arati tandi vijambhitā bhattasammado cetaso ca līnattaṁ. Frequent irrational application of mind to that Tattha ayonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—fuels the arising of dullness and drowsiness, or, when they have arisen, makes them increase and grow. ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā thinamiddhassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā thinamiddhassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya.

And what fuels the arising of restlessness and remorse, or, when they have arisen, makes them increase and grow? Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya? There is the unsettled mind. Atthi, bhikkhave, cetaso avūpasamo. Frequent irrational application of mind to that Tattha ayonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—fuels the arising of restlessness and remorse, or, when they have arisen, makes them increase and grow. ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya.

And what fuels the arising of doubt, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow? Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannāya vā vicikicchāya uppādāya, uppannāya vā vicikicchāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya? There are things that are grounds for doubt. Atthi, bhikkhave, vicikicchāṭṭhānīyā dhammā. Frequent irrational application of mind to them Tattha ayonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—fuels the arising of doubt, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow. ayamāhāro anuppannāya vā vicikicchāya uppādāya, uppannāya vā vicikicchāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya.

And what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of mindfulness, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it? Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā? There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of mindfulness. Atthi, bhikkhave, satisambojjhaṅgaṭṭhānīyā dhammā. Frequent rational application of mind to them Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—fuels the arising of the awakening factor of mindfulness, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it. ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā.

And what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of investigation of principles, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it? Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā? There are qualities that are skillful and unskillful, blameworthy and blameless, inferior and superior, and those on the side of dark and bright. Atthi, bhikkhave, kusalākusalā dhammā sāvajjānavajjā dhammā hīnapaṇītā dhammā kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgā dhammā. Frequent rational application of mind to them Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—fuels the arising of the awakening factor of investigation of principles, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it. ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā.

And what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of energy, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it? Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā? There are the elements of initiative, persistence, and exertion. Atthi, bhikkhave, ārambhadhātu nikkamadhātu parakkamadhātu. Frequent rational application of mind to them Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—fuels the arising of the awakening factor of energy, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it. ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā.

And what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of rapture, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it? Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā? There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of rapture. Atthi, bhikkhave, pītisambojjhaṅgaṭṭhānīyā dhammā. Frequent rational application of mind to them Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—fuels the arising of the awakening factor of rapture, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it. ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā.

And what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of tranquility, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it? Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā? There is tranquility of the body and of the mind. Atthi, bhikkhave, kāyappassaddhi cittappassaddhi. Frequent rational application of mind to that Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—fuels the arising of the awakening factor of tranquility, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it. ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā.

And what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of immersion, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it? Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā? There are things that are the basis of serenity and freedom from distraction. Atthi, bhikkhave, samathanimittaṁ abyagganimittaṁ. Frequent rational application of mind to them Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—fuels the arising of the awakening factor of immersion, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it. ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā.

And what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of equanimity, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it? Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā? There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of equanimity. Atthi, bhikkhave, upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṭṭhānīyā dhammā. Frequent rational application of mind to them Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—fuels the arising of the awakening factor of equanimity, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it. ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā.

And what starves the arising of sensual desire, or, when it has arisen, starves its increase and growth? Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā kāmacchandassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā kāmacchandassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya? There is the feature of ugliness. Atthi, bhikkhave, asubhanimittaṁ. Frequent rational application of mind to that Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—starves the arising of sensual desire, or, when it has arisen, starves its increase and growth. ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā kāmacchandassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā kāmacchandassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya.

And what starves the arising of ill will, or, when it has arisen, starves its increase and growth? Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā byāpādassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā byāpādassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya? There is the heart’s release by love. Atthi, bhikkhave, mettācetovimutti. Frequent rational application of mind to that Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—starves the arising of ill will, or, when it has arisen, starves its increase and growth. ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā byāpādassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā byāpādassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya.

And what starves the arising of dullness and drowsiness, or, when they have arisen, starves their increase and growth? Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā thinamiddhassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā thinamiddhassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya? There are the elements of initiative, persistence, and exertion. Atthi, bhikkhave, ārambhadhātu nikkamadhātu parakkamadhātu. Frequent rational application of mind to them Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—starves the arising of dullness and drowsiness, or, when they have arisen, starves their increase and growth. ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā thinamiddhassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā thinamiddhassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya.

And what starves the arising of restlessness and remorse, or, when they have arisen, starves their increase and growth? Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya? There is the settled mind. Atthi, bhikkhave, cetaso vūpasamo. Frequent rational application of mind to that Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—starves the arising of restlessness and remorse, or, when they have arisen, starves their increase and growth. ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya.

And what starves the arising of doubt, or, when it has arisen, starves its increase and growth? Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannāya vā vicikicchāya uppādāya, uppannāya vā vicikicchāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya? There are qualities that are skillful and unskillful, blameworthy and blameless, inferior and superior, and those on the side of dark and bright. Atthi, bhikkhave, kusalākusalā dhammā sāvajjānavajjā dhammā hīnapaṇītā dhammā kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgā dhammā. Frequent rational application of mind to them Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro—starves the arising of doubt, or, when it has arisen, starves its increase and growth. ayamanāhāro anuppannāya vā vicikicchāya uppādāya, uppannāya vā vicikicchāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya.

And what starves the arising of the awakening factor of mindfulness, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development? Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā? There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of mindfulness. Atthi, bhikkhave, satisambojjhaṅgaṭṭhānīyā dhammā. Not frequently applying the mind to that Tattha amanasikārabahulīkāro—starves the arising of the awakening factor of mindfulness, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development. ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā.

And what starves the arising of the awakening factor of investigation of principles, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development? Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā? There are qualities that are skillful and unskillful, blameworthy and blameless, inferior and superior, and those on the side of dark and bright. Atthi, bhikkhave, kusalākusalā dhammā sāvajjānavajjā dhammā hīnapaṇītā dhammā kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgā dhammā. Not frequently applying the mind to that Tattha amanasikārabahulīkāro—starves the arising of the awakening factor of investigation of principles, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development. ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā.

And what starves the arising of the awakening factor of energy, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development? Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā? There are the elements of initiative, persistence, and exertion. Atthi, bhikkhave, ārambhadhātu nikkamadhātu parakkamadhātu. Not frequently applying the mind to that Tattha amanasikārabahulīkāro—starves the arising of the awakening factor of energy, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development. ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā.

And what starves the arising of the awakening factor of rapture, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development? Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā? There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of rapture. Atthi, bhikkhave, pītisambojjhaṅgaṭṭhānīyā dhammā. Not frequently applying the mind to that Tattha amanasikārabahulīkāro—starves the arising of the awakening factor of rapture, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development. ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā.

And what starves the arising of the awakening factor of tranquility, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development? Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā? There is tranquility of the body and of the mind. Atthi, bhikkhave, kāyappassaddhi cittappassaddhi. Not frequently applying the mind to that Tattha amanasikārabahulīkāro—starves the arising of the awakening factor of tranquility, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development. ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā.

And what starves the arising of the awakening factor of immersion, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development? Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā? There are things that are the basis of serenity and freedom from distraction. Atthi, bhikkhave, samathanimittaṁ abyagganimittaṁ. Not frequently applying the mind to that Tattha amanasikārabahulīkāro—starves the arising of the awakening factor of immersion, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development. ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā.

And what starves the arising of the awakening factor of equanimity, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development? Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā? There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of equanimity. Atthi, bhikkhave, upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṭṭhānīyā dhammā. Not frequently applying the mind to that Tattha amanasikārabahulīkāro—starves the arising of the awakening factor of equanimity, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development.” ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.