Aṅguttara Nikāya
Chakka Nipāta
VII. Devatā Vagga

The Book of the Sixes

Chapter VII: The Devas

Sutta 72

Bala Suttaṃ

Strength

 

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[300]

Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove,
in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

There the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," they replied,
and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, if a monk be possessed of six things,
he cannot win strength in concentration.

What six?

Suppose, monks, a monk be not skilled in attaining concentration,
nor skilled in maintaining concentration,
nor skilled in emerging therefrom,
nor is he zealous,
nor persevering
nor helpful.

Monks, if a monk be possessed of these six,
he cannot win strength in concentration.'

 

§

 

But, monks, if a monk be possessed of six things,
he can win strength in concentration.

What six?

Suppose, monks, a monk be skilled in attaining concentration,
skilled in maintaining concentration,
skilled in emerging therefrom,
is zealous,
persevering
helpful.

Monks, if a monk be possessed of these six,
he can win strength in concentration.'