Reading guide
Two parallel structures, one governing image
The discourse falls into two halves built on the identical “body needs food” frame: the first names what fuels each of the five hindrances (sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, doubt) through “irrational application of mind” (ayoniso manasikāra) to specific objects; the second names what fuels each of the seven awakening factors through “rational application of mind” (yoniso manasikāra) to a parallel set of objects — the same mental faculty of attention, directed well or poorly, determines which set grows.
Specific, not generic, fuel for each factor
Unlike a simple listing, this discourse names a distinct condition for each of the twelve items: the feature of beauty fuels sensual desire; the feature of aversion fuels ill will; discontent and sleepiness fuel dullness; an unsettled mind fuels restlessness; grounds for doubt fuel doubt. On the awakening-factor side, the text is more general, simply naming “things that are grounds for” each factor, except for investigation of principles (skillful and unskillful qualities), energy (initiative, persistence, and exertion), and tranquility (bodily and mental calm), which receive their own specific descriptions.
Key terms
The text
§1 — the governing imageAt Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, this body is sustained by food. It depends on food to continue, and without food it doesn’t continue. In the same way, the five hindrances are sustained by fuel. They depend on fuel to continue, and without fuel they don’t continue.
§2 — what fuels sensual desireAnd 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.
§3 — what fuels ill willAnd what fuels the arising of ill will, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow? 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.
§4 — what fuels dullness and drowsinessAnd 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 them fuels the arising of dullness and drowsiness, or, when they have arisen, makes them increase and grow.
§5 — what fuels restlessness and remorseAnd 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.
§6 — what fuels doubtAnd 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.
§7-8 — the image restated for the awakening factorsThis body is sustained by food. It depends on food to continue, and without food it doesn’t continue. In the same way, the five hindrances are sustained by fuel. They depend on fuel to continue, and without fuel they don’t continue. This body is sustained by food. It depends on food to continue, and without food it doesn’t continue. In the same way, the seven awakening factors are sustained by fuel. They depend on fuel to continue, and without fuel they don’t continue.
§9 — what fuels mindfulnessAnd 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.
§10 — what fuels investigation of principlesAnd 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 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.
§11 — what fuels energyAnd 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.
§12 — what fuels raptureAnd what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of rapture, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it? 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.
§13 — what fuels tranquilityAnd 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.
§14 — what fuels immersionAnd what fuels the arising of the awakening factor of immersion, or, when it has arisen, fully develops it? 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.
§15 — what fuels equanimityAnd 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.
§16 — the closing restatementThis body is sustained by food. It depends on food to continue, and without food it doesn’t continue. In the same way, the seven awakening factors are sustained by fuel. They depend on fuel to continue, and without fuel they don’t continue.”
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