AN9.1 — Sambodhisutta
Thus have I heard:
At one time the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.
There the Blessed One addressed the disciples: Disciples, if wanderers of other sects were to ask you, Friends, what is the basis for the development of the factors of enlightenment? being asked thus, how would you answer them?
Venerable sir, the teachings are rooted in the Blessed One... having heard from the Blessed One, the disciples will remember.
Therefore listen, pay close attention; I will speak.
Yes, venerable sir, the disciples replied to the Blessed One.
The Blessed One said this: Disciples, if wanderers of other sects were to ask you, Friends, what is the basis for the development of the factors of enlightenment? being asked thus, you should answer them in this way: Here, friend, a disciple has a good friend, a good companion, a good comrade.
This is the first basis for the development of the factors of enlightenment.
Furthermore, friend, a disciple is virtuous, restrained by the Pātimokkha, perfect in conduct and resort, seeing danger in the slightest faults, and trains in the training rules he has undertaken.
This is the second basis for the development of the factors of enlightenment.
Furthermore, friend, a disciple obtains at will, without trouble or difficulty, talk that is conducive to the opening of the heart, that is, talk on wanting little, contentment, seclusion, non-association, arousing energy, virtue, concentration, wisdom, liberation, and the knowing and vision of liberation.
This is the third basis for the development of the factors of enlightenment.
Furthermore, friend, a disciple dwells with energy aroused for the abandoning of unwholesome states and the acquiring of wholesome states, strong, firm in exertion, not laying down the burden in wholesome states.
This is the fourth basis for the development of the factors of enlightenment.
Furthermore, friend, a disciple is wise, endowed with wisdom that sees the arising and passing away, noble and penetrative, leading to the complete destruction of suffering.
This is the fifth basis for the development of the factors of enlightenment.
For a disciple with a good friend it is to be expected that he will have a good companion, a good associate:
He will be virtuous, living restrained by the restraint of the Pātimokkha, accomplished in conduct and resort, seeing danger in the slightest faults, and will undertake and train in the training rules.
For a disciple with a good friend it is to be expected that he will have a good companion, a good associate:
He will be one who gains at will, without trouble or difficulty, the talk that is conducive to the opening of the mind, such as talk on wanting little, contentment, seclusion, non-association, arousing energy, virtue, concentration, wisdom, liberation, and the knowing and vision of liberation.
For a disciple with a good friend it is to be expected that he will have a good companion, a good associate:
He will be one who dwells with energy aroused for the abandoning of unwholesome states, for the attainment of wholesome states, strong, firm in exertion, not relinquishing the duty in wholesome states.
For a disciple with a good friend it is to be expected that he will have a good companion, a good associate:
He will be wise, endowed with wisdom that leads to the arising and passing away, noble, penetrating, leading to the complete destruction of suffering.
And having established himself in these five qualities, a disciple should further develop four qualities:
The perception of unattractiveness should be developed to abandon lust, goodwill should be developed to abandon ill-will, mindfulness of breathing should be developed to cut off thoughts, and the perception of impermanence should be developed to eradicate the conceit I am.
For one who perceives impermanence the perception of non-self is established.
One who perceives non-self attains the eradication of the conceit I am, and in this very life reaches Nibbāna.