Reading guide
A third formula, genuinely self-referential
Where Set 1 named an ethical outcome (removal of greed, hate, delusion) and Set 2 named a destination (freedom from death), Set 3 folds back onto the path's own description — the eightfold path factors are themselves said to slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment, the identical language used for the path as a whole. Confirmed by direct comparison of the Pāli, not assumed from the pattern of the first two sets.
Key terms
The text
§1“Mendicants, the Ganges river slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”
Self-check quiz
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