“Ye te, bhikkhave, bhikkhū sīlasampannā samādhisampannā ñāṇasampannā vimuttisampannā vimuttiñāṇadassanasampannā, dassanampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ bahukāraṁ vadāmi; savanampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ bahukāraṁ vadāmi; upasaṅkamanampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ bahukāraṁ vadāmi; payirupāsanampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ bahukāraṁ vadāmi; anussatimpāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ bahukāraṁ vadāmi; anupabbajjampāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ bahukāraṁ vadāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tathārūpānaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ dhammaṁ sutvā dvayena vūpakāsena vūpakaṭṭho viharati—kāyavūpakāsena ca cittavūpakāsena ca. So tathā vūpakaṭṭho viharanto taṁ dhammaṁ anussarati anuvitakketi.
“Bhikkhus, those bhikkhus who are accomplished in |virtue::ethical conduct, moral integrity [sīla]|, |collectedness::stability of mind, stillness of mind, mental composure [samādhi]|, |insight::understanding, knowing [ñāṇa]|, |liberation::release, deliverance, freedom, emancipation [vimutti]|, and |the wisdom and vision of liberation::total understanding of emancipation, knowing and seeing of release, understanding and insight into liberation [vimutti + ñāṇa + dassana]| — I say that seeing such bhikkhus is of great benefit; listening to them is of great benefit; approaching them is of great benefit; attending upon them is of great benefit; recollecting them is of great benefit; and even going forth with [faith in] them is of great benefit. Why is that so? Because, bhikkhus, after hearing the Dhamma from such bhikkhus, one withdraws in two ways: by bodily seclusion and by mental seclusion. Dwelling thus secluded, one remembers and reflects on that Dhamma.
Yasmiṁ samaye, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tathā vūpakaṭṭho viharanto taṁ dhammaṁ anussarati anuvitakketi, satisambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhuno āraddho hoti; satisambojjhaṅgaṁ tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhu bhāveti; satisambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhuno bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati. So tathā sato viharanto taṁ dhammaṁ paññāya pavicinati pavicarati parivīmaṁsamāpajjati.
1.) Bhikkhus, when a bhikkhu, dwelling thus secluded, remembers and reflects on that Dhamma, at that time, the |awakening factor of mindfulness::mindfulness of body, feelings, mind, mental qualities [satisambojjhaṅga]| is aroused in him. At that time, the bhikkhu develops the awakening factor of mindfulness. At that time, the awakening factor of mindfulness reaches fulfillment through |cultivation::development, meditation [bhāvanā]| in him. Dwelling thus mindfully, he examines that Dhamma with wisdom, investigates, and thoroughly reflects upon it.
Yasmiṁ samaye, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tathā sato viharanto taṁ dhammaṁ paññāya pavicinati pavicarati parivīmaṁsamāpajjati, dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhuno āraddho hoti; dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṁ tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhu bhāveti; dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhuno bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati. Tassa taṁ dhammaṁ paññāya pavicinato pavicarato parivīmaṁsamāpajjato āraddhaṁ hoti vīriyaṁ asallīnaṁ.
2.) Bhikkhus, when a bhikkhu, dwelling thus mindfully, examines that Dhamma with wisdom, investigates, and thoroughly reflects upon it, at that time, |awakening factor of investigation of states::the quality of discriminative investigation into states, mental qualities and other phenomena; analyzing the teaching as a factor of enlightenment; second of the seven awakening factors [dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga]| is aroused in him. At that time, the bhikkhu develops the awakening factor of investigation of states. At that time, the awakening factor of investigation of states reaches fulfillment through cultivation in him. For him, as he examines that Dhamma with wisdom, analyzing, and engaging in thorough reflection, unwavering energy is aroused.
Yasmiṁ samaye, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno taṁ dhammaṁ paññāya pavicinato pavicarato parivīmaṁsamāpajjato āraddhaṁ hoti vīriyaṁ asallīnaṁ, vīriyasambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhuno āraddho hoti; vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhu bhāveti; vīriyasambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhuno bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati. Āraddhavīriyassa uppajjati pīti nirāmisā.
3.) Bhikkhus, at that time, when a bhikkhu, examining that Dhamma with wisdom, analyzing, and engaging in thorough reflection, unwavering energy is aroused in him. At that time, 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]| is aroused in him. At that time, the bhikkhu develops the awakening factor of energy. At that time, the awakening factor of energy reaches fulfillment through cultivation in him. For him with energy aroused, non-material joy arises.
Yasmiṁ samaye, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno āraddhavīriyassa uppajjati pīti nirāmisā, pītisambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhuno āraddho hoti; pītisambojjhaṅgaṁ tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhu bhāveti; pītisambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhuno bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati. Pītimanassa kāyopi passambhati, cittampi passambhati.
4.) Bhikkhus, at that time, when non-material joy arises in a bhikkhu with energy aroused, 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]| is aroused in him. At that time, the bhikkhu develops the awakening factor of joy. At that time, the awakening factor of joy reaches fulfillment through cultivation in him. For one with a joyful mind, the body becomes tranquil, and the mind becomes tranquil as well.
Yasmiṁ samaye, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pītimanassa kāyopi passambhati cittampi passambhati, passaddhisambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhuno āraddho hoti; passaddhisambojjhaṅgaṁ tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhu bhāveti; passaddhisambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhuno bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati. Passaddhakāyassa sukhino cittaṁ samādhiyati.
5.) Bhikkhus, at that time, when the body of a bhikkhu with a joyful mind becomes tranquil and the mind becomes tranquil, 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]| is aroused in him. At that time, the bhikkhu develops the awakening factor of tranquility. At that time, the awakening factor of tranquility reaches fulfillment through cultivation in him. For one whose body is tranquil and at ease, the mind becomes collected.
Yasmiṁ samaye, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno passaddhakāyassa sukhino cittaṁ samādhiyati, samādhisambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhuno āraddho hoti; samādhisambojjhaṅgaṁ tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhu bhāveti; samādhisambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhuno bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati. So tathāsamāhitaṁ cittaṁ sādhukaṁ ajjhupekkhitā hoti.
6.) Bhikkhus, at that time, when the mind of a bhikkhu, whose body is tranquil and at ease, becomes collected, the |awakening factor of collectedness::the quality of unification, stability, and deep stillness of the mind, as a factor of enlightenment; sixth of the seven awakening factors [samādhisambojjhaṅga]| is aroused in him. At that time, the bhikkhu develops the awakening factor of collectedness. At that time, the awakening factor of collectedness reaches fulfillment through cultivation in him. With the mind thus collected, he thoroughly observes with equanimity.
Yasmiṁ samaye, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tathāsamāhitaṁ cittaṁ sādhukaṁ ajjhupekkhitā hoti, upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhuno āraddho hoti; upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhu bhāveti; upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhikkhuno bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati.
7.) Bhikkhus, at that time, when a bhikkhu thoroughly observes with equanimity the mind that is thus collected, 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]| is aroused in him. At that time, the bhikkhu develops the awakening factor of equanimity. At that time, the awakening factor of equanimity reaches fulfillment through cultivation in him.
Evaṁ bhāvitesu kho, bhikkhave, sattasu sambojjhaṅgesu evaṁ bahulīkatesu satta phalā sattānisaṁsā pāṭikaṅkhā. Katame satta phalā sattānisaṁsā?
Bhikkhus, when the seven awakening factors are developed and practiced often in this way, seven fruits and seven benefits can be expected. What are the seven fruits and seven benefits?
Diṭṭheva dhamme paṭikacca aññaṁ ārādheti.
1.) One attains |final knowledge [of the complete wearing away of the mental defilements]::spiritual insight; full awakening [aññā]| in this very life.
No ce diṭṭheva dhamme paṭikacca aññaṁ ārādheti, atha maraṇakāle aññaṁ ārādheti.
2.) If not in this very life, then one attains final knowledge at the time of death.
No ce diṭṭheva dhamme paṭikacca aññaṁ ārādheti, no ce maraṇakāle aññaṁ ārādheti, atha pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā antarāparinibbāyī hoti.
3.) If one does not attain final knowledge in this very life, and if one does not attain final knowledge at the time of death, then with the complete wearing away of the five lower fetters, one becomes an attainer of |final Nibbāna::complete cooling, full quenching, total emancipation, dying one’s final death [parinibbāyi]| in-between.
No ce diṭṭheva dhamme paṭikacca aññaṁ ārādheti, no ce maraṇakāle aññaṁ ārādheti, no ce pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā antarāparinibbāyī hoti, atha pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā upahaccaparinibbāyī hoti.
4.) If one does not attain final knowledge in this very life, and if one does not attain final knowledge at the time of death, and if one does not become an attainer of final Nibbāna in-between, then with the complete wearing away of the five lower fetters, one becomes an attainer of final Nibbāna upon landing [in the next life].
No ce diṭṭheva dhamme paṭikacca aññaṁ ārādheti, no ce maraṇakāle aññaṁ ārādheti, no ce pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā antarāparinibbāyī hoti, no ce pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā upahaccaparinibbāyī hoti, atha pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā asaṅkhāraparinibbāyī hoti.
5.) If one does not attain final knowledge in this very life, and if one does not attain final knowledge at the time of death, and if one does not become an attainer of final Nibbāna in-between, and if one does not become an attainer of final Nibbāna upon landing, then with the complete wearing away of the five lower fetters, one becomes an attainer of final Nibbāna without effort.
No ce diṭṭheva dhamme paṭikacca aññaṁ ārādheti, no ce maraṇakāle aññaṁ ārādheti, no ce pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā antarāparinibbāyī hoti, no ce pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā upahaccaparinibbāyī hoti, no ce pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā asaṅkhāraparinibbāyī hoti, atha pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sasaṅkhāraparinibbāyī hoti.
6.) If one does not attain final knowledge in this very life, and if one does not attain final knowledge at the time of death, and if one does not become an attainer of final Nibbāna in-between, and if one does not become an attainer of final Nibbāna upon landing, and if one does not become an attainer of final Nibbāna without effort, then with the complete wearing away of the five lower fetters, one becomes an attainer of final Nibbāna with effort.
No ce diṭṭheva dhamme paṭikacca aññaṁ ārādheti, no ce maraṇakāle aññaṁ ārādheti, no ce pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā antarāparinibbāyī hoti, no ce pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā upahaccaparinibbāyī hoti, no ce pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā asaṅkhāraparinibbāyī hoti, no ce pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sasaṅkhāraparinibbāyī hoti, atha pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā uddhaṁsoto hoti akaniṭṭhagāmī.
7.) If one does not attain final knowledge in this very life, and if one does not attain final knowledge at the time of death, and if one does not become an attainer of final Nibbāna in-between, and if one does not become an attainer of final Nibbāna upon landing, and if one does not become an attainer of final Nibbāna without effort, and if one does not become an attainer of final Nibbāna with effort, then with the complete wearing away of the five lower fetters, one becomes one |flowing upstream::going against the flow [uddhaṃsota]|, heading towards the |Akaniṭṭha::class of gods representing the highest of the Pure Abodes; lit. not the youngest [akaniṭṭha]| realm.
Evaṁ bhāvitesu kho, bhikkhave, sattasu bojjhaṅgesu evaṁ bahulīkatesu ime satta phalā sattānisaṁsā pāṭikaṅkhā”ti.
Bhikkhus, when the seven awakening factors are developed and practiced often in this way, these seven fruits and seven benefits can be expected.”