The Related Suttas Collection 46.51

6. Discussion

Nourishing

At Sāvatthī.

“Bhikkhus, 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? 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? There is the feature of harshness. 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? 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? 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? 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? 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? There are qualities that are skillful and unskillful, blameworthy and blameless, inferior and superior, and those on the side of dark and 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? 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 (mental) joy, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it? There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of (mental) joy. Frequent rational application of mind to them fuels the arising of the awakening factor of (mental) joy, 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? 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 samādhi, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it? There are things that are (meditation) objects for serenity and things that are (meditation) objects for non-distraction of the mind. Frequent rational application of mind to them fuels the arising of the awakening factor of samādhi, 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? 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? 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? 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? 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? 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? There are qualities that are skillful and unskillful, blameworthy and blameless, inferior and superior, and those on the side of dark and 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? There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of mindfulness. Not frequently focusing on them 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? There are qualities that are skillful and unskillful, blameworthy and blameless, inferior and superior, and those on the side of dark and bright. Not frequently focusing on them 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? There are the elements of initiative, persistence, and exertion. Not frequently focusing on them 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 (mental) joy, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development? There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of (mental) joy. Not frequently focusing on them starves the arising of the awakening factor of (mental) joy, 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? 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 samādhi, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development? There are things that are (meditation) objects for serenity and things that are (meditation) objects for non-distraction of the mind. Not frequently focusing on them starves the arising of the awakening factor of samādhi, 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? There are things that are grounds for the awakening factor of equanimity. Not frequently focusing on them starves the arising of the awakening factor of equanimity, or, when it has arisen, starves its full development.”