Vigour☀️ bright quality View in explorer

When a precocious young brahmin challenges the Buddha regarding the absolute authority of the Vedic scriptures, the Buddha deconstructs blind faith by comparing it to a chain of blind men. He then maps out the gradual path of inquiry, explaining the step-by-step process of preserving the truth, awakening to the truth, and finally arriving at the truth through direct realization.

Can anyone know everything all at once? Does birth define spiritual potential? King Pasenadi questions the Buddha on omniscience, the spiritual equality of castes, and the nature of deities, exploring whether true liberation is identical for all who strive.

Using the role of food as nutriment that sustains and endures the body, the Buddha describes the nutriments for the arising and growth of the five hindrances and the seven factors of awakening.

The Buddha teaches the importance of frequently reflecting upon the five subjects of 1) aging, 2) illness, 3) death, 4) separation from everyone and everything dear and pleasing, and 5) one’s relation to one’s actions.

The Buddha describes seven kinds of persons and likens them to those in water — from those submerged in unwholesomeness to those who cross over fully. They represent the stages from spiritual stagnation to full awakening, including stream-enterers, once-returners, non-returners, and arahants.

The Buddha describes the nutriments for the sustenance of the five hindrances and the seven factors of awakening.

The Buddha explains how to cultivate recollection of death so that it is of great fruit and great benefit, and leads to the deathless.

The Buddha describes the seven powers of faith, energy, conscience, fear of wrongdoing, mindfulness, collectedness, and wisdom.

The Buddha explains what causes the hindrances to arise and how to abandon them.

The Buddha outlines the five essential factors of striving: conviction in the Buddha’s awakening, physical health with balanced digestion, honesty without deceit, persistent energy, and penetrative wisdom that sees arising and passing away.

When the Buddha asks the bhikkhus on how they cultivate recollection of death, their answers reveal a negligent mindset. The Buddha then instructs to cultivate recollection of death with diligence and keenness, which leads to the wearing away of the taints.

Six qualities that help achieve greatness and expansiveness in wholesome qualities in no long time.

In the Gosiṅga Sal wood park, Sāriputta asks several elder disciples what kind of monk illuminates the place. Each answers based on their personal strength — learning, seclusion, divine eye, asceticism, Dhamma dialogue and mastery over mind. They present their answers to the Buddha, who affirms that all have spoken well and then shares his own answer.

Excessive sleep, sluggishness, yawning, discontent, and post-meal drowsiness can obstruct the noble path from appearing.

The Buddha explains the benefits of associating with virtuous bhikkhus and the development of the seven awakening factors.

The Buddha declares that varying levels of fulfillment of the five spiritual faculties determine whether one is an Arahant, a non-returner, a once-returner, or a stream-enterer.

Developing the four bases of psychic powers can lead from the near shore to the far shore.

For whomever the four bases of psychic powers are neglected, the noble way of practice leading to the complete cessation of suffering is also neglected.

The four bases of psychic powers are noble and lead to liberation.

Whoever in the past, future, or present produces psychic powers, all of them do so through the development and frequent practice of the four bases of psychic powers.

Whoever in the past, future, or present produces the highest psychic powers, all of them do so through the development and frequent practice of the four bases of psychic powers.

The Buddha recounts the inquiry that led to the development of the four bases of psychic powers before his full awakening.

Cultivating the four bases of psychic powers can lead to various kinds of psychic powers and the realization of the taintless liberation of mind.

An analysis of the four bases of psychic powers that are endowed with collectedness arising from aspiration, determination, purification of mind, and investigation.

Whether in the past, future, or at present, any ascetics or brahmins who are mighty and powerful have attained such might and power through the development and frequent practice of the four bases of psychic powers.

Whether in the past, future, or at present, any ascetics or brahmins who are experiencing various kinds of psychic powers have attained such abilities through the development and frequent practice of the four bases of psychic powers.

Through the development and frequent practice of the four bases of psychic powers, a bhikkhu realizes the taintless liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom.

The Buddha teaches about psychic power, the basis of psychic power, the development of the bases of psychic power, and the way of practice leading to the development of the bases of psychic power.

A detailed analysis of the four bases of psychic powers - collectedness arising from aspiration, energy, purification of mind, and investigation.

The Buddha explains the urgency of understanding the Four Noble Truths to end suffering with a simile of extinguishing a fire on one’s clothes or head.

The Buddha recounts his striving and meditation under the Nerañjarā river, where he was approached by Māra. The Buddha rejects Māra's temptations and describes the qualities of a true practitioner who conquers Māra's army.

The venerable Dhotaka asks the Buddha to free him from doubt and teach the principle of peace. The Buddha explains that liberation cannot be bestowed by another but arises from directly knowing the Dhamma. He instructs Dhotaka to see even the act of knowing as a ‘sticking point’ in the world, and to abandon craving for any state of existence.

The Buddha describes three cases where vigour should be applied.

Developing the bases of psychic power can lead to enlightenment in this very life or the state of non-returning.

Developing the bases of psychic power can lead to enlightenment in this very life or the state of non-returning.

The Buddha advises Soṇa on the importance of balanced energy and breaking through to a balanced state of the faculties with the example of the lute strings.

The Buddha describes the seven powers in brief.

The Buddha explains the four qualities that lead to the benefit and happiness in this life and in the future life.

Dhammapada verses 306–319 warn of the suffering that follows false speech, misconduct, and wrong view. The verses highlight the danger of negligence, hypocrisy, and slack effort in spiritual practice. Those who cultivate right view, ethical conduct, and firm effort attain a good destination, while those who embrace wrong views and harmful actions fall into misery.

Dhammapada verses 360–382 depict the ideal bhikkhu as one who restrains the senses, body, speech, and mind, leading to freedom from suffering. Emphasis is placed on mindfulness, inner joy, collectedness, and self-reliance. Through discipline and reflection, the bhikkhu advances towards the peace of Nibbāna, shining like the moon freed from clouds.