Aṅguttara Nikāya
Sattaka Nipāta
III: Vajjī Vaggo

The Book of the Sevens

Chapter III: The Vajjians

Sutta 26

Sekha Aparihānīya Suttaṃ

Training

[15]

THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

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

"Monks, these seven things lead to the decline of a monk when training.

What seven?

Delight in action,
delight in talk,
delight in sleeping,
delight in company,
unguardedness of the sense-doors,
no moderation in eating;
and when there is business of the Order in chapter,
a monk undergoing training reflects not;

'There are in the Order elders of experience,
long gone forth,
office-bearers;¹
they will be well known for that!'

- but makes an effort² on his own account.

Verily, monks, these seven things lead to the decline of a monk when training.

Monks, these seven things lead to the non-decline of a monk when training.

What seven?

Non-delight in action,
non-delight in talk,
non-delight in sleeping,
on-delight in company,
guardedness of the sense-doors,
moderation in eating;
and when there is business of the Order in chapter,
a monk undergoing training reflects;

'There are in the Order elders of experience,
long gone forth,
office-bearers;
they will be well known for that!'

- and he makes no effort on his own account.

Verily, monks, these seven things lead to the non-decline of a monk when training."

¹ Comy. nittharaṇena bhāraṃ vahanti; P.E.D. gives only our ref.; Bhāra-vāhin does not appear in Vin. ii. indexes; Childers, quoting Abhidhānappadīpikā, 'a porter.'