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Himavanta Sutta

Samyutta Nikaya XLVI.1

The Himalayas
(On the Factors of Awakening)

For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma

Context of this sutta

"Monks, it is in dependence on the Himalayas, the king of mountains, that serpents (nagas) grow in body and gain in strength. Having grown in body and gained strength there, they descend to the small lakes. Having descended to the small lakes, they descend to the large lakes...the small rivers...the large rivers...to the great ocean. There they attain greatness & prosperity in terms of the body.

"In the same way, it is in dependence on virtue, established on virtue, having developed & pursued the seven factors of awakening, that a monk attains to greatness & prosperity in terms of mental qualities. And how is it that a monk -- in dependence on virtue, established on virtue, having developed & pursued the seven factors of awakening -- attains to greatness & prosperity in terms of mental qualities?

"There is the case where a monk develops mindfulness as a factor of awakening dependent on seclusion, dependent on dispassion, dependent on cessation, resulting in relinquishment. He develops analysis of qualities as a factor of awakening...persistence as a factor of awakening...rapture as a factor of awakening...serenity as a factor of awakening...concentration as a factor of awakening...equanimity as a factor of awakening dependent on seclusion, dependent on dispassion, dependent on cessation, resulting in relinquishment. This is how a monk -- in dependence on virtue, established on virtue, having developed & pursued the seven factors of awakening -- attains to greatness & prosperity in terms of mental qualities."

Revised: Sat 17 October 1998