AN10.62 — Taṇhāsutta
Disciples, the first point of craving for existence is not evident, that before this, craving for existence was not, and then it came into being afterward. However, it is said that this craving for existence is conditioned. I say that craving for existence is with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for craving for existence? It should be said, ignorance. I say that ignorance is with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for ignorance? It should be said, the five hindrances. I say that the five hindrances are with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for the five hindrances? It should be said, the three unwholesome actions. I say that the three unwholesome actions are with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for the three unwholesome actions? It should be said, lack of restraint of the senses. I say that lack of restraint of the senses is with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for lack of restraint of the senses? It should be said, lack of mindfulness and clear knowing. I say that lack of mindfulness and clear knowing is with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for lack of mindfulness and clear knowing? It should be said, improper attention. I say that improper attention is with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for improper attention? It should be said, lack of faith. I say that lack of faith is with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for lack of faith? It should be said, not hearing the true Dhamma. I say that not hearing the true Dhamma is with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for not hearing the true Dhamma? It should be said, association with bad persons. Thus association with bad persons fully develops not hearing the true Dhamma, which fully develops lack of faith, which fully develops improper attention, which fully develops lack of mindfulness and clear knowing, which fully develops lack of restraint of the senses, which fully develops the three unwholesome actions, which fully develop the five hindrances, which fully develop ignorance, which fully develops craving for existence; this is how craving for existence is fueled and fully developed.
Just as when rain falls heavily on a mountain top, the water flows down to fill the crevices, gullies, and streams, and these, being full, fill the rivers, and the rivers, being full, fill the great ocean; in the same way, association with bad persons fully develops not hearing the true Dhamma, which fully develops lack of faith, which fully develops improper attention, which fully develops lack of mindfulness and clear knowing, which fully develops lack of restraint of the senses, which fully develops the three unwholesome actions, which fully develop the five hindrances, which fully develop ignorance, which fully develops craving for existence; this is how craving for existence is fueled and fully developed.
I say that liberation through knowing is with fuel, not without fuel. And what is the fuel for liberation through knowing? It should be said, the seven factors of enlightenment. I say that the seven factors of enlightenment are with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for the seven factors of enlightenment? It should be said, the four foundations of mindfulness. I say that the four foundations of mindfulness are with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for the four foundations of mindfulness? It should be said, the three wholesome actions. I say that the three wholesome actions are with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for the three wholesome actions? It should be said, restraint of the senses. I say that restraint of the senses is with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for restraint of the senses? It should be said, mindfulness and clear knowing. I say that mindfulness and clear knowing are with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for mindfulness and clear knowing? It should be said, proper attention. I say that proper attention is with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for proper attention? It should be said, faith. I say that faith is with fuel, not without fuel.
And what is the fuel for faith? It should be said, hearing the true Dhamma. I say that hearing the true Dhamma is with fuel, not without fuel.
Disciples, without food, there is no nourishment. What is the food for the hearing of the true Dhamma? It should be said: association with good persons. Thus association with good persons fully nourishes the hearing of the true Dhamma, the hearing of the true Dhamma fully nourishes faith, faith fully nourishes wise attention, wise attention fully nourishes mindfulness and clear knowing, mindfulness and clear knowing fully nourish restraint of the senses, restraint of the senses fully nourishes the three good conducts, the three good conducts fully nourish the four foundations of mindfulness, the four foundations of mindfulness fully nourish the seven factors of enlightenment, the seven factors of enlightenment fully nourish knowing and liberation; thus is the nourishment for this knowing and liberation, and thus is its fulfillment.
Just as when the gods rain heavily on a mountain top, the water flows down to fill the streams and rivers thus nourishing the great ocean, so too, association with good persons fully nourishes the hearing of the true Dhamma thus is the nourishment for this knowing and liberation, and thus is its fulfillment.