Aṅguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
VII: Saññā Vagga

The Book of the Fives

VII: Thoughts

Sutta 63

Paṭhama Vaḍḍhī Suttaṃ

Growth¹

 

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[80] [66]

Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One dwelt near Sāvatthī;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

'Yes, lord,' they replied;
and the Exalted One said:

"Monks,² growing in five ways of growth,
the Ariyan disciple grows in Ariyan growth;
he heeds what is essential and best
for his whole being.³

In what five?

He grows in faith,
virtue,
learning,
giving up
and insight.

Verily, monks, growing in these five ways of growth,
the Ariyan disciple grows in Ariyan growth;
he heeds what is essential and best
for his whole being.

Whoso⁴ in faith, in virtue makes a forward⁵ growth,
In learning, insight, giving up, alike:
A very man like this, keen-eyed, lays hold
E'en here upon the real in himself.'

 

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¹ Vaḍḍhi.

² Cf. S. iv, 250 (K.S. iv, Introd. xiv); and above, § 40.

³ Kāyausa.

⁴ Almost the same gāthā, recurs at A. v, 137. Cf. the identical sutta § iv in S. iv, 250, with a varied translation in K.S. iv, 168 f.

⁵ Here pavaḍḍhati.