Āhārasutta — Reader

Nourishing

Āhārasutta

At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you what fuels and what starves the five hindrances and the seven awakening factors. Listen … And what fuels the arising of sensual desire, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow?

Sāvatthinidānaṁ. “Pañcannañca, bhikkhave, nīvaraṇānaṁ sattannañca bojjhaṅgānaṁ āhārañca anāhārañca desessāmi; taṁ suṇātha. Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā kāmacchandassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā kāmacchandassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya?

There is the feature of beauty. Frequent irrational application of mind to that fuels the arising of sensual desire, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow. And what fuels the arising of ill will, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow?

Atthi, bhikkhave, subhanimittaṁ. Tattha ayonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā kāmacchandassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā kāmacchandassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya. Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā byāpādassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā byāpādassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya?

There is the feature of aversion. Frequent irrational application of mind to that fuels the arising of ill will, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow. And what fuels the arising of dullness and drowsiness, or, when they have arisen, makes them increase and grow?

Atthi, bhikkhave, paṭighanimittaṁ. Tattha ayonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā byāpādassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā byāpādassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya. Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā thinamiddhassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā thinamiddhassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya?

There is discontent, sloth, yawning, sleepiness after eating, and mental sluggishness. Frequent irrational application of mind to that fuels the arising of dullness and drowsiness, or, when they have arisen, makes them increase and grow. And what fuels the arising of restlessness and remorse, or, when they have arisen, makes them increase and grow?

Atthi, bhikkhave, arati tandi vijambhitā bhattasammado cetaso ca līnattaṁ. Tattha ayonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā thinamiddhassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā thinamiddhassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya. Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya?

There is the unsettled mind. Frequent irrational application of mind to that fuels the arising of restlessness and remorse, or, when they have arisen, makes them increase and grow. And what fuels the arising of doubt, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow?

Atthi, bhikkhave, cetaso avūpasamo. Tattha ayonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya. Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannāya vā vicikicchāya uppādāya, uppannāya vā vicikicchāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya?

There are things that are grounds for doubt. Frequent irrational application of mind to them fuels the arising of doubt, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow. And what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of mindfulness, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it?

Atthi, bhikkhave, vicikicchāṭṭhānīyā dhammā. Tattha ayonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamāhāro anuppannāya vā vicikicchāya uppādāya, uppannāya vā vicikicchāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya. Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā?

There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of mindfulness. Frequent rational application of mind to them fuels the arising of the awakening factor of mindfulness, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it. And what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of investigation of principles, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it?

Atthi, bhikkhave, satisambojjhaṅgaṭṭhānīyā dhammā. Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā. Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā?

There are qualities that are skillful and unskillful, blameworthy and blameless, inferior and superior, and those with a portion of dark or bright. Frequent rational application of mind to them fuels the arising of the awakening factor of investigation of principles, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it. And what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of energy, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it?

Atthi, bhikkhave, kusalākusalā dhammā sāvajjānavajjā dhammā hīnapaṇītā dhammā kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgā dhammā. Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā. Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā?

There are the elements of initiative, persistence, and exertion. Frequent rational application of mind to them fuels the arising of the awakening factor of energy, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it. And what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of rapture, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it?

Atthi, bhikkhave, ārambhadhātu nikkamadhātu parakkamadhātu. Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā. Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā?

There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of rapture. Frequent rational application of mind to them fuels the arising of the awakening factor of rapture, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it. And what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of tranquility, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it?

Atthi, bhikkhave, pītisambojjhaṅgaṭṭhānīyā dhammā. Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā. Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā?

There is tranquility of the body and of the mind. Frequent rational application of mind to that fuels the arising of the awakening factor of tranquility, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it. And what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of immersion, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it?

Atthi, bhikkhave, kāyappassaddhi cittappassaddhi. Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā. Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā?

There are things that are the basis of serenity and freedom from distraction. Frequent rational application of mind to them fuels the arising of the awakening factor of immersion, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it. And what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of equanimity, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it?

Atthi, bhikkhave, samathanimittaṁ abyagganimittaṁ. Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā. Ko ca, bhikkhave, āhāro anuppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā?

There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of equanimity. Frequent rational application of mind to them fuels the arising of the awakening factor of equanimity, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it. And what starves the arising of sensual desire, or, when it has arisen, starves its increase and growth?

Atthi, bhikkhave, upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṭṭhānīyā dhammā. Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamāhāro anuppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā. Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā kāmacchandassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā kāmacchandassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya?

There is the feature of ugliness. Frequent rational application of mind to that starves the arising of sensual desire, or, when it has arisen, starves its increase and growth. And what starves the arising of ill will, or, when it has arisen, starves its increase and growth?

Atthi, bhikkhave, asubhanimittaṁ. Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā kāmacchandassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā kāmacchandassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya. Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā byāpādassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā byāpādassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya?

There is the heart’s release by love. Frequent rational application of mind to that starves the arising of ill will, or, when it has arisen, starves its increase and growth. And what starves the arising of dullness and drowsiness, or, when they have arisen, starves their increase and growth?

Atthi, bhikkhave, mettācetovimutti. Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā byāpādassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā byāpādassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya. Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā thinamiddhassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā thinamiddhassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya?

There are the elements of initiative, persistence, and exertion. Frequent rational application of mind to them starves the arising of dullness and drowsiness, or, when they have arisen, starves their increase and growth. And what starves the arising of restlessness and remorse, or, when they have arisen, starves their increase and growth?

Atthi, bhikkhave, ārambhadhātu nikkamadhātu parakkamadhātu. Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā thinamiddhassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā thinamiddhassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya. Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya?

There is the settled mind. Frequent rational application of mind to that starves the arising of restlessness and remorse, or, when they have arisen, starves their increase and growth. And what starves the arising of doubt, or, when it has arisen, starves its increase and growth?

Atthi, bhikkhave, cetaso vūpasamo. Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā uddhaccakukkuccassa bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya. Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannāya vā vicikicchāya uppādāya, uppannāya vā vicikicchāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya?

There are qualities that are skillful and unskillful, blameworthy and blameless, inferior and superior, and those with a portion of dark or bright. Frequent rational application of mind to them starves the arising of doubt, or, when it has arisen, starves its increase and growth. And what starves the arising of the awakening factor of mindfulness, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development?

Atthi, bhikkhave, kusalākusalā dhammā sāvajjānavajjā dhammā hīnapaṇītā dhammā kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgā dhammā. Tattha yonisomanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamanāhāro anuppannāya vā vicikicchāya uppādāya, uppannāya vā vicikicchāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya. Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā?

There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of mindfulness. Not frequently applying the mind to that starves the arising of the awakening factor of mindfulness, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development. And what starves the arising of the awakening factor of investigation of principles, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development?

Atthi, bhikkhave, satisambojjhaṅgaṭṭhānīyā dhammā. Tattha amanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā satisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā. Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā?

There are qualities that are skillful and unskillful, blameworthy and blameless, inferior and superior, and those with a portion of dark or bright. Not frequently applying the mind to that starves the arising of the awakening factor of investigation of principles, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development. And what starves the arising of the awakening factor of energy, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development?

Atthi, bhikkhave, kusalākusalā dhammā sāvajjānavajjā dhammā hīnapaṇītā dhammā kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgā dhammā. Tattha amanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā. Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā?

There are the elements of initiative, persistence, and exertion. Not frequently applying the mind to that starves the arising of the awakening factor of energy, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development. And what starves the arising of the awakening factor of rapture, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development?

Atthi, bhikkhave, ārambhadhātu nikkamadhātu parakkamadhātu. Tattha amanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā vīriyasambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā. Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā?

There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of rapture. Not frequently applying the mind to that starves the arising of the awakening factor of rapture, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development. And what starves the arising of the awakening factor of tranquility, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development?

Atthi, bhikkhave, pītisambojjhaṅgaṭṭhānīyā dhammā. Tattha amanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā pītisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā. Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā?

There is tranquility of the body and of the mind. Not frequently applying the mind to that starves the arising of the awakening factor of tranquility, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development. And what starves the arising of the awakening factor of immersion, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development?

Atthi, bhikkhave, kāyappassaddhi cittappassaddhi. Tattha amanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā passaddhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā. Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā?

There are things that are the basis of serenity and freedom from distraction. Not frequently applying the mind to that starves the arising of the awakening factor of immersion, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development. And what starves the arising of the awakening factor of equanimity, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development?

Atthi, bhikkhave, samathanimittaṁ abyagganimittaṁ. Tattha amanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā samādhisambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā. Ko ca, bhikkhave, anāhāro anuppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā?

There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of equanimity. Not frequently applying the mind to that starves the arising of the awakening factor of equanimity, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development.”

Atthi, bhikkhave, upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṭṭhānīyā dhammā. Tattha amanasikārabahulīkāro— ayamanāhāro anuppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa uppādāya, uppannassa vā upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa bhāvanāya pāripūriyā”ti. Paṭhamaṁ.

Nourishing

Āhārasutta

There are qualities that are skillful and unskillful, blameworthy and blameless, inferior and superior, and those with a portion of dark or bright. Frequent rational application of mind to them starves the arising of doubt, or, when it has arisen, starves its increase and growth. And what starves the arising of the awakening factor of mindfulness, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development?