English translation
3.3.9 Reducing Wrong Thoughts and Strengthening Right Thoughts, Part Two *
… “Thus, Bhikkhus, when I dwelled with ardent, diligent and resolute will a thought of renunciation would arise. Then I understood perfectly in the following way: ‘A thought of renunciation has arisen within me, it is neither of harm to me nor to others and it does not lead to any harm to both. It is strengthening wisdom, therefrom derives no trouble and is conducive to nibbāna.’
Bhikkhus, if I thought about it, pondered over it even for a whole night, I could see no fear arising on account of it. Even if I thought about it, pondered over it for a whole day, I could see no fear arising on account of it and even if I thought about it, pondered over it even for a whole night and a whole day, I could see no fear arising on account of it. But after thinking and pondering over this for too long my body gets wearisome. With a weary body the mind gets disturbed. With a stressed mind it is far away from concentration. Therefore, Bhikkhus, I straightened internally my mind and calmed it, made it one-pointed and concentrated it. Why so? That my mind should not be stressed.
Thus, Bhikkhus, when I dwelled with ardent, diligent and resolute will a thought of non-ill will… and…a thought of nonviolence would arise. Then I understood perfectly in the following way: ‘A thought of non-ill will… and…a thought of nonviolence has arisen within me, it is neither of harm to me nor to others and it does not lead to any harm to both. It is strengthening wisdom, therefrom derives no trouble and is conducive to nibbāna.’
Bhikkhus, if I thought about it, pondered over it even for a whole night, I could see no fear arising on account of it. Even if I thought about it, pondered over it for a whole day, I could see no fear arising on account of it and even if I thought about it, pondered over it even a whole night and a whole day, I could see no fear arising on account of it. But after thinking and pondering over this for too long my body gets wearisome. With a weary body the mind gets disturbed. With a stressed mind it is far away from concentration. Therefore, Bhikkhus, I straightened internally my mind and calmed it, made it one-pointed and concentrated it. Why so? That my mind should not be stressed.
Bhikkhus, whatever thoughts are thought and repeatedly mulled upon, that becomes the predisposition of the mind. Bhikkhus, when thoughts of renunciation are thought and repeatedly pondered over, having abandoned thoughts of sensuality, that very mind becomes predisposed to renunciation. When thoughts of non-ill will are thought and repeatedly pondered over, having abandoned thoughts of ill will, that very mind becomes predisposed to non-ill will. When thoughts of nonviolence are thought and repeatedly pondered over, having abandoned thoughts of violence, that very mind becomes predisposed to nonviolence.
Similar to a cowherd, Bhikkhus, who, in the last month of the summer when all the corn is stored in the neighborhood of the village, guards his cattle by being merely aware: ‘the cattle is around!’ staying himself at the root of a tree or in the open, in the same way, Bhikkhus, there was just such awareness: ‘these are the states!’
Indeed thus unremitting, assiduous energy was aroused by me, Bhikkhus, persistent awareness established, the body calmed and tranquil, the mind made concentrated and one-pointed!” …
* dvedhāvitakkasuttaṃ: dvedhā + vitakka + suttaṃ – broke into two + thought + sutta.