English translation
3.3.3 Thoughts to Avoid and to Engage In*
“Do not, Bhikkhus, engage in evil, unwholesome thoughts, such as thoughts of sensual pleasures, thoughts of aversion, thoughts of violence.
For what reason?
These thoughts, 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, 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, Bhikkhus, are beneficial, are well-suited for one who lives the holy life and lead to revulsion, to detachment, to cessation, to tranquillity, perfect wisdom, full enlightenment and to Nibbāna.
Therefore, 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.