Numbered Discourses 1.51–60

The Chapter on a Finger-Snap

“This mind, bhikkhus, is radiant. But it is corrupted by passing corruptions. An unlearned ordinary person does not truly understand this. So I say that the unlearned ordinary person has no development of the mind.”

“This mind, bhikkhus, is radiant. And it is freed from passing corruptions. A learned noble disciple truly understands this. So I say that the learned noble disciple has development of the mind.”

“If, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu cultivates a mind of love even as long as a finger-snap, they’re called a bhikkhu who does not lack jhāna, who follows the Teacher’s instructions, who responds to advice, and who does not eat the country’s alms in vain. How much more so those who make much of it!”

“If, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops a mind of love even as long as a finger-snap, they’re called a bhikkhu who does not lack jhāna, who follows the Teacher’s instructions, who responds to advice, and who does not eat the country’s alms in vain. How much more so those who make much of it!”

“If, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu focuses on a mind of love even as long as a finger-snap, they’re called a bhikkhu who does not lack jhāna, who follows the Teacher’s instructions, who responds to advice, and who does not eat the country’s alms in vain. How much more so those who make much of it!”

“Bhikkhus, intention shapes all phenomena whatsoever that are unskillful, part of the unskillful, on the side of the unskillful. Intention is the first of those phenomena to arise, and unskillful phenomena follow right behind.”

“Bhikkhus, intention shapes all phenomena whatsoever that are skillful, part of the skillful, on the side of the skillful. Intention is the first of those phenomena to arise, and skillful phenomena follow right behind.”

“Bhikkhus, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to unskillful qualities, or makes skillful qualities decline like negligence. When you’re negligent, unskillful qualities arise and skillful qualities decline.”

“Bhikkhus, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to skillful qualities, or makes unskillful qualities decline like diligence. When you’re diligent, skillful qualities arise and unskillful qualities decline.”

“Bhikkhus, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to unskillful qualities, or makes skillful qualities decline like laziness. When you’re lazy, unskillful qualities arise and skillful qualities decline.”