The Buddha explains how frequently paying attention to certain things can lead to the arising and expansion of hindrances and awakening factors.

Ṭhāniya sutta - Serving As A Basis

Hindrances

“1. Bhikkhus, by frequently paying attention to the things serving as a basis for |sensual desire::passion or lust for sensual pleasures [kāmarāga]|, unarisen sensual desire arises, and arisen sensual desire increases and expands.

2. Similarly, by frequently paying attention to the things serving as a basis for |ill will::aversion, anger, contempt, resentment [byāpāda]|, unarisen ill will arises, and arisen ill will increases and expands.

3. By frequently paying attention to the things serving as a basis for |dullness and drowsiness::
lack or mental clarity or alertness, mental sluggishness, lethargy, sleepiness lit. stiffness (of mind/body due to tiredness) [thinamiddha]|, unarisen dullness and drowsiness arises, and arisen dullness and drowsiness increases and expands.

4. By frequently paying attention to the things serving as a basis for |restlessness and worry::agitation and edginess, distraction, fidgeting, fiddling, uneasiness [uddhaccakukkucca]|, unarisen restlessness and worry arises, and arisen restlessness and worry increases and expands.

5. By frequently paying attention to the things serving as a basis for |doubt::uncertainty, indecisiveness [vicikiccha]|, unarisen doubt arises, and arisen doubt increases and expands.

Awakening Factors

1. Bhikkhus, by frequently paying attention to the things serving as a basis for the |awakening factor of mindfulness::mindfulness of body, feelings, mind, mental qualities [satisambojjhaṅga]|, unarisen mindfulness arises, and arisen mindfulness reaches full development through cultivation.

2. By frequently paying attention to the things serving as a basis for the |awakening factor of investigation of states::the quality of discriminative investigation into states, mental qualities and other phenomena; analyzing the teaching as an factor of enlightenment; second of the seven awakening factors [dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga]|, unarisen investigation arises, and arisen investigation reaches full development through cultivation.

3. By frequently paying attention to the things serving as a basis for the |awakening factor of energy::the quality of unrelenting effort, the sustaining power of persistence as a factor of enlightenment; third of the seven awakening factors [vīriyasambojjhaṅga]|, unarisen energy arises, and arisen energy reaches full development through cultivation.

4. By frequently paying attention to the things serving as a basis for the |awakening factor of joy::the quality of heartfelt gladness, spiritual rapture untainted by sensuality, as a factor of enlightenment; fourth of the seven awakening factors [pītisambojjhaṅga]|, unarisen [heartfelt] joy arises, and arisen [heartfelt] joy reaches full development through cultivation.

5. By frequently paying attention to the things serving as a basis for the |awakening factor of tranquility::the quality of inner stillness, bodily and mental calm, as a factor of enlightenment; fifth of the seven awakening factors [passaddhisambojjhaṅga]|, unarisen tranquility arises, and arisen tranquility reaches full development through cultivation.

6. By frequently paying attention to the things serving as a basis for the |awakening factor of collectedness::the quality of unification, stability, and deep focus of the mind, as a factor of enlightenment; sixth of the seven awakening factors [samādhisambojjhaṅga]|, unarisen collectedness arises, and arisen collectedness reaches full development through cultivation.

7. By frequently paying attention to the things serving as a basis for the |awakening factor of equanimity::the quality of balanced observation, non-reactivity, and mental equipoise as a factor of enlightenment; seventh of the seven awakening factors [upekkhāsambojjhaṅga]|, unarisen equanimity arises, and arisen equanimity reaches full development through cultivation.”

Last updated on April 29, 2025

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