Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

The Mahācattārīsakasuttaṃ describes in detail the links of the Noble Path, starting with sammadiṭṭhi (see lesson 3.2.6) and specifies how sammadiṭṭhi is a forerunner by supporting the respective other links. All of them need to be properly understood and realized in their samma qualities by discerning and leaving completely behind the wrong attributes. As sammadiṭṭhi is twofold, also sammāsaṅkappo is twofold:

Its first, mundane quality necessitates sincere and enduring efforts to rectify thoughts deriving from wrong intention by purging out confusion. Maintaining these efforts requires unerring awareness and mindfulness. That is why the Buddha says: “Itiyime tayo dhammā sammāsaṅkappaṃ anuparidhāvanti anuparivattanti, seyyathidaṃ – sammādiṭṭhi, sammāvāyāmo, sammāsati.” – “These three states follow and circle around right thought, these are: right view, right effort and right awareness!”

The super mundane quality is developed once one gets established in the Path - ariyacittassa anāsavacittassa ariyamaggasamaṅgino ariyamaggaṃ bhāvayato - of noble mind without any dormant mental impurities.

Thus, anyone who has understood and abandoned those conditions that consolidate thoughts and intentions in their miccha characteristics (see lesson 3.3.3) is enabled to develop and cultivate their respective opposites:

Leaving behind kāmadhātu obliges one to foster the element of renunciation: Tattha katamā nekkhammadhātu? Nekkhammapaṭisaṃyutto takko vitakko saṅkappo appanā byappanā cetaso abhiniropanā sammāsaṅkappo – ayaṃ vuccati ‘‘nekkhammadhātu’’.¹ Sabbepi kusalā dhammā ‘‘nekkhammadhātu’’. - “Thus what is the element of renunciation? It is thinking, investigating, directing of thought, considering it, mental fixation on one’s thoughts, mental focused application of one’s mind, right thought, all mingled with renunciation – this is what is called the element of renunciation. Further, all wholesome states are elements of renunciation.”

Leaving behind byāpādadhātu obliges one to foster the element of loving kindness: Tattha katamā abyāpādadhātu? Abyāpādapaṭisaṃyutto takko vitakko saṅkappo appanā byappanā cetaso abhiniropanā sammāsaṅkappo – ayaṃ vuccati ‘‘abyāpādadhātu’’. Yā sattesu metti mettāyanā mettāyitattaṃ mettācetovimutti² – ayaṃ vuccati ‘‘abyāpādadhātu’’. - “Thus what is the element of non-ill will? It is thinking, investigating, directing of thought, considering it, mental fixation on one’s thoughts, mental focused application of one’s mind, right thought, all are mingled with the absence of ill will – this is what is called the element of non-ill will. Whatever in beings is good will, act of loving kindness, state of loving kindness, loving kindness of a liberated mind - this is the element of non-ill will.”

Leaving behind vihiṃsādhātu obliges one to foster the element of compassionate love: Tattha katamā Tattha katamā avihiṃsādhātu? Avihiṃsāpaṭisaṃyutto takko vitakko saṅkappo appanā byappanā cetaso abhiniropanā sammāsaṅkappo – ayaṃ vuccati ‘‘avihiṃsādhātu’’. Yā sattesu karuṇā karuṇāyanā karuṇāyitattaṃ karuṇācetovimutti – ayaṃ vuccati ‘‘avihiṃsādhātu’’ - “Thus what is the element of non-violence? It is thinking, investigating, directing of thought, considering it, mental fixation on one’s thoughts, mental focused application of one’s mind, right thought, all mingled with the absence of cruelty – this is what is called is the element of non-violence. Whatever in beings is compassionate love, acts of compassionate love, states of compassionate love, minds of compassionate love, of a liberated mind - is the element of non-violence.”