SN46.4 — Vatthasutta

At one time, the venerable Sāriputta was dwelling in Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

There, the venerable Sāriputta addressed the disciples:

Friends, disciples.

Friend, those disciples responded to the venerable Sāriputta.

The venerable Sāriputta said:

There are, friends, seven factors of enlightenment.

What seven? The mindfulness enlightenment factor, the investigation of the Dhamma enlightenment factor, the energy enlightenment factor, the joy enlightenment factor, the tranquility enlightenment factor, the concentration enlightenment factor, the equanimity enlightenment factor: these, friends, are the seven factors of enlightenment.

Of these, friends, whichever enlightenment factor I wish to dwell in during the morning, I dwell in that enlightenment factor during the morning; whichever enlightenment factor I wish to dwell in during the midday, I dwell in that enlightenment factor during the midday; whichever enlightenment factor I wish to dwell in during the evening, I dwell in that enlightenment factor during the evening.

If it is the mindfulness enlightenment factor for me, friends, it becomes boundless for me, very well cultivated for me, and I understand it standing as standing.

Even if it fades away, I understand it fades away for this reason

If it is the equanimity enlightenment factor for me, friends, it becomes boundless for me, very well cultivated for me, and I understand it standing as standing.

Even if it fades away, I understand it fades away for this reason.

Just as, friends, for a king or a royal minister, a chest full of various kinds of garments would be filled.

Whatever pair of garments he wishes to wear in the morning, he would wear that very pair of garments in the morning; whatever pair of garments he wishes to wear at midday, he would wear that very pair of garments at midday; whatever pair of garments he wishes to wear in the evening, he would wear that very pair of garments in the evening.

In the same way, friends, of these seven factors of enlightenment, whichever enlightenment factor I wish to dwell in during the morning, I dwell in that enlightenment factor during the morning; whichever enlightenment factor I wish to dwell in during the midday, I dwell in that enlightenment factor during the midday; whichever enlightenment factor I wish to dwell in during the evening, I dwell in that enlightenment factor during the evening.

If it is the mindfulness enlightenment factor for me, friends, it becomes boundless for me, very well cultivated for me, and I understand it standing as standing.

Even if it fades away, I understand it fades away for this reason

If it is the equanimity enlightenment factor for me, friends, it becomes boundless for me, very well cultivated for me, and I understand it standing as standing.

Even if it fades away, I understand it fades away for this reason.