3.3.3 Thoughts to Avoid and to Engage in[*]

“Do not, O’ Bhikkhus, engage in evil, unwholesome thoughts, such as thought of sensual pleasures, thought of aversion, thought of violence. For what reason? These thoughts, O’ Bhikkhus, are not beneficial, are not well-suited for one who leads the holy life and do neither lead to revulsion, nor to detachment, to cessation, nor to tranquillity, perfect wisdom, full enlightenment nor to Nibbāna.

When thinking, O’ Bhikkhus, you should think: This is suffering”; you should think: “This is the arising of suffering”; you should think: “This is the cessation of suffering”; you should think: “This is the path leading to the cessation of suffering.

For what reason? These thoughts, O’ Bhikkhus, are beneficial, are well-suited for one who leads the holy life and lead to revulsion, to detachment, to cessation, lead to tranquillity, perfect wisdom, full enlightenment and to Nibbāna.

Therefore, O’ Bhikkhus, you should engage yourselves in the practice of: “This is suffering”; you should engage yourselves in the practice of: “This is the arising of suffering”; you should engage yourselves in the practice of: “This is the cessation of suffering”; you should engage yourselves in the practice of: “This is the path leading to the cessation of suffering.”


[*] Vitakkasuttaṃ: vitakka + suttaṃ: thought +sutta

Last modified: Monday, 14 December 2015, 8:31 AM