Nutriment for Arising of Hindrances and Factors of Awakening (SN 46.51)
Nutriment for Arising of Hindrances and Factors of Awakening (SN 46.51)
The Buddha explains the nutriment and the lack of nutriment for the five hindrances and the seven factors of awakening.
At Sāvatthi.
"Bhikkhus, I will teach you about the nutriment (fuel) and the lack of nutriment for the five hindrances and the seven factors of awakening. Listen to this.
Nutriment for Arising of Hindrances
What, bhikkhus, is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen sensual desire and for the increase and expansion of arisen sensual desire? There is, bhikkhus, the attractive object in the mind. Frequently giving careless attention to it is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen sensual desire and for the increase and expansion of arisen sensual desire.
What, bhikkhus, is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen ill-will and for the increase and expansion of arisen ill-will? There is, bhikkhus, the repulsive object in the mind. Frequently giving careless attention to it is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen ill will and for the increase and expansion of arisen ill-will.
And what, bhikkhus, is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen dullness and for the increase and expansion of arisen dullness? There is, bhikkhus, dissatisfaction, laziness, yawning, passing out after a meal, and sluggishness of mind. Frequently giving careless attention to these is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen dullness and for the increase and expansion of arisen dullness.
And what, bhikkhus, is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen restlessness and for the increase and expansion of arisen restlessness? There is, bhikkhus, the unsettled mind. Frequently giving careless attention to it is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen restlessness and for the increase and expansion of arisen restlessness.
And what, bhikkhus, is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen doubt and for the increase and expansion of arisen doubt? There are, bhikkhus, things that lead to doubt. Frequently giving careless attention to them is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen doubt and for the increase and expansion of arisen doubt.
Nutriment for Arising of Factors of Awakening
And what, bhikkhus, is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of mindfulness and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of mindfulness? There are, bhikkhus, things that are suitable for the awakening factor of mindfulness. Frequently giving careful attention to them is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of mindfulness and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of mindfulness.
And what, bhikkhus, is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of investigation of phenomena and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of investigation of phenomena? There are, bhikkhus, wholesome and unwholesome things, blamable and blameless things, inferior and superior things, and things similar to the dark and the bright. Frequently giving careful attention to them is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of investigation of phenomena and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of investigation of phenomena.
And what, bhikkhus, is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of persistence (energy) and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of persistence? There is, bhikkhus, the initiative, principle of endurance, and continuous effort (perseverance). Frequently giving careful attention to these is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of persistence and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of persistence.
And what, bhikkhus, is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of joy and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of joy? There are, bhikkhus, things that are suitable for the awakening factor of joy. Frequently giving careful attention to them is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of joy and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of joy.
And what, bhikkhus, is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of tranquility and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of tranquility? There is, bhikkhus, tranquility of body and tranquility of mind. Frequently giving careful attention to these is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of tranquility and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of tranquility.
And what, bhikkhus, is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of collectedness and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of collectedness? There is, bhikkhus, the basis for calmning and the basis for non-distraction. Frequently giving careful attention to these is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of collectedness and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of collectedness.
And what, bhikkhus, is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of equanimity (mental poise) and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of equanimity? There are, bhikkhus, things that are suitable for the awakening factor of equanimity. Frequently giving careful attention to them is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of equanimity and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of equanimity.
Lack of Nutriment for Arising of Hindrances
And what, bhikkhus, is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen sensual desire and for the increase and expansion of arisen sensual desire? There is, bhikkhus, an unattractive object in the mind. Frequently giving careful attention to it is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen sensual desire and for the increase and expansion of arisen sensual desire.
And what, bhikkhus, is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen ill-will and for the increase and expansion of arisen ill-will? There is, bhikkhus, the liberation of mind through friendliness (good-will). Frequently giving careful attention to it is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen ill-will and for the increase and expansion of arisen ill-will.
And what, bhikkhus, is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen dullness and for the increase and expansion of arisen dullness? There is, bhikkhus, the initiative, principle of endurance, and continuous effort (perseverance). Frequently giving careful attention to these is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen dullness and for the increase and expansion of arisen dullness.
And what, bhikkhus, is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen restlessness and for the increase and expansion of arisen restlessness? There is, bhikkhus, settling of mind. Frequently giving careful attention to it is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen restlessness and for the increase and expansion of arisen restlessness.
And what, bhikkhus, is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen doubt and for the increase and expansion of arisen doubt? There are, bhikkhus, wholesome and unwholesome things, blameworthy and blameless things, coarse and refined things, and things similar to the dark and the bright. Frequently giving careful attention to them is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen doubt and for the increase and expansion of arisen doubt.
Lack of Nutriment for Arising of Factors of Awakening
And what, bhikkhus, is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of mindfulness and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of mindfulness? There are, bhikkhus, things that are suitable for the awakening factor of mindfulness. Frequently giving careless attention to them is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of mindfulness and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of mindfulness.
And what, bhikkhus, is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of investigation of phenomena (through teachings) and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of investigation of phenomena? There are, bhikkhus, wholesome and unwholesome things, blameworthy and blameless things, coarse and refined things, and things similar to the dark and the bright. Frequently giving careless attention to them is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of investigation of phenomena and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of investigation of phenomena.
And what, bhikkhus, is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of persistence and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of persistence? There is, bhikkhus, the initiative, principle of endurance, and continuous effort (perseverance). Frequently giving careless attention to these is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of persistence and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of persistence.
And what, bhikkhus, is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of joy and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of joy? There are, bhikkhus, things that are suitable for the awakening factor of joy. Frequently giving careless attention to them is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of joy and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of joy.
And what, bhikkhus, is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of tranquility and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of tranquility? There is, bhikkhus, tranquility of body and tranquility of mind. Frequently giving careless attention to these is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of tranquility and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of tranquility.
And what, bhikkhus, is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of collectedness and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of collectedness? There is, bhikkhus, the basis for calmning and the basis for non-distraction. Frequently giving careless attention to these is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of collectedness and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of collectedness.
And what, bhikkhus, is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of equanimity and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of equanimity? There are, bhikkhus, things that are suitable for the awakening factor of equanimity. Frequently giving careless attention to them is the lack of nutriment for the arising of unarisen awakening factor of equanimity and for the development and completion of the arisen awakening factor of equanimity.
Related Teachings:
Hindrances as different bowls of water (SN 46.55) - The brahmin Saṅgārava asks why sometimes verses stay in memory while other times they don’t. The Buddha replies that it is due to the presence of either the hindrances or awakening factors. He gives a set of similes illustrating each of the hindrances with different bowls of water.
The five hindrances weaken wisdom | simile of side-channels weakening a river's flow (AN 5.51) - The five hindrances weaken wisdom like side-channels weaken a river’s flow.
Sāriputta's bold declaration about Buddhas of the past, future and present (SN 47.2) - Sāriputta boldly declares that no ascetic or brahmin has ever been, nor will ever be, more knowledgeable in direct knowledge than the Blessed One in full awakening. He acknowledges that he cannot encompass the minds of all the Buddhas, past, future, or present. However, he understands a principle through the Dhamma: all those who become fully awakened do so by abandoning the five hindrances, establishing their minds in the four foundations of mindfulness, and developing the seven factors of awakening.
Awakening factors to develop when the mind is tired (SN 46.53) - Which awakening factors should be developed when the mind is tired, and which when it is energetic? And what is always useful?