Aṅguttara Nikāya
Sattaka Nipāta
Avyākata Vagga

The Book of the Sevens

Chapter VI: The Unexplained

Sutta 57

The Seven

 

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[50]

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, holding fast¹ to seven things,
a monk may,
on destroying the cankers,
enter and abide in the cankerless mind-emancipation,
wisdom-emancipation,
here and now,
realizing it himself by his own knowledge.

 

§

 

What seven?

Herein, monks, a monk is full of faith,
virtuous,
learned,
lives secluded,
has initial energy,²
is mindful,
is wise.

Verily, monks, holding fast to these seven things,
a monk may,
on destroying the cankers,
enter and abide in the canker-less mind-emancipation,
wisdom-emancipation,
here and now,
realizing it himself by his own knowledge.

 

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¹ Dhammehi samannāgato: gone along with what ought to be held.

² Āraddhaviriya, see G.S. iii, 238, n. 2[Our n. 3] (where for ārādheti read, ārabhati). Cf. below, p. 217, viriyaṃ ārabhati.