Reading guide
The same claim, without the specific triggers or the simile
Where SN 46.2 named a precise fuel for each of the twelve items (the feature of beauty for sensual desire, the elements of initiative for energy, and so on) and framed the whole teaching through the body's own need for food, this discourse states the underlying principle directly and generically — frequent application of mind to “grounds” for a given state causes it to arise and grow — without repeating either the simile or the specific list of triggers.
Key terms
The text
§1 — what fuels the five hindrances“Mendicants, when you frequently apply the mind to things that are grounds for sensual greed, sensual desire arises, and once arisen it increases and grows. When you frequently apply the mind to things that are grounds for ill will, ill will arises, and once arisen it increases and grows. When you frequently apply the mind to things that are grounds for dullness and drowsiness, dullness and drowsiness arise, and once arisen they increase and grow. When you frequently apply the mind to things that are grounds for restlessness and remorse, restlessness and remorse arise, and once arisen they increase and grow. When you frequently apply the mind to things that are grounds for doubt, doubt arises, and once arisen it increases and grows.
§2 — what fuels the seven awakening factorsWhen you frequently apply the mind to things that are grounds for the awakening factor of mindfulness, the awakening factor of mindfulness arises, and once arisen it’s fully developed. … When you frequently apply the mind to things that are grounds for the awakening factor of equanimity, the awakening factor of equanimity arises, and once arisen it’s fully developed.”
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