Reading guide
A precise causal chain, not a mere list
Unlike SN 46.1's own simile or SN 46.2's own paired fuel-lists, this discourse traces an unbroken causal sequence: hearing the teaching of an accomplished mendicant leads to living withdrawn in body and mind, which initiates mindfulness; mindful investigation leads to energy; energy leads to rapture; rapture leads to bodily and mental tranquility; tranquility leads to bliss and immersion; and immersion is watched over with equanimity — each step named as the direct condition for the next, confirmed by close reading of the discourse's own connective language.
Seven fruits, a technical map of the non-returner's own paths
The discourse closes by naming seven possible outcomes of developing the seven awakening factors in this way: full enlightenment in this very life, or at the time of death, or (with the five lower fetters ended) one of five distinct grades of becoming a non-returner (extinguished between one life and the next, upon landing, without extra effort, with extra effort, or heading upstream to the Akaniṭṭha realm) — a well-known technical classification this reading guide names but does not attempt to further explain beyond the discourse's own own words.
Key terms
The text
§1 — the value of encountering an accomplished mendicant“Mendicants, when a mendicant is accomplished in ethics, immersion, knowledge, freedom, or the knowledge and vision of freedom, even the sight of them is very helpful, I say. Even to hear them, approach them, pay homage to them, recollect them, or go forth following them is very helpful, I say. Why is that? Because after hearing the teaching of such mendicants, a mendicant will live withdrawn in both body and mind, as they recollect and think about that teaching.
§2 — mindfulness initiatedAt such a time, a mendicant has initiated the awakening factor of mindfulness; they develop it and perfect it. As they live mindfully in this way they investigate, explore, and inquire into that teaching with wisdom.
§3 — investigation of principles initiatedAt such a time, a mendicant has initiated the awakening factor of investigation of principles; they develop it and perfect it. As they investigate principles with wisdom in this way their energy is roused up and unflagging.
§4 — energy initiatedAt such a time, a mendicant has initiated the awakening factor of energy; they develop it and perfect it. When they’re energetic, rapture not of the flesh arises.
§5 — rapture initiatedAt such a time, a mendicant has initiated the awakening factor of rapture; they develop it and perfect it. When the mind is full of rapture, the body and mind become tranquil.
§6 — tranquility initiatedAt such a time, a mendicant has initiated the awakening factor of tranquility; they develop it and perfect it. When the body is tranquil and one feels bliss, the mind becomes immersed in samādhi.
§7 — immersion initiatedAt such a time, a mendicant has initiated the awakening factor of immersion; they develop it and perfect it. They closely watch over that mind immersed in samādhi.
§8 — equanimity initiatedAt such a time, a mendicant has initiated the awakening factor of equanimity; they develop it and perfect it.
§9 — the seven fruits and benefitsWhen the seven awakening factors are developed and cultivated in this way they can expect seven fruits and benefits. What seven? They attain enlightenment early on in this very life. If not, they attain enlightenment at the time of death. If not, with the ending of the five lower fetters, they’re extinguished between one life and the next. If not, with the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished upon landing. If not, with the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished without extra effort. If not, with the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished with extra effort. If not, with the ending of the five lower fetters they head upstream, going to the Akaniṭṭha realm. When the seven awakening factors are developed and cultivated in this way these are the seven fruits and benefits they can expect.”
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