SN46.51 — Āhāra Sutta - Discourse on Nourishment
At Sāvatthī.
Disciples, I will teach you the nourishment and the non-nourishment for the five hindrances and the seven factors of awakening. Listen and pay close attention, I will speak.
1. The Nourishment for the Five Hindrances
Sensual Desire
And what, disciples, is the nourishment for the arising of unarisen sensual desire, or for the growth and increase of sensual desire already arisen? There is the sign of attractiveness (subha-nimitta). In this regard, the frequent application of unwise attention: this is the nourishment for the arising of unarisen sensual desire, or for the growth and increase of sensual desire already arisen.
Ill-Will
And what, disciples, is the nourishment for the arising of unarisen ill-will, or for the growth and increase of ill-will already arisen? There is the sign of irritation (paṭigha-nimitta). In this regard, the frequent application of unwise attention: this is the nourishment for the arising of unarisen ill-will, or for the growth and increase of ill-will already arisen.
Sloth and Torpor
And what, disciples, is the nourishment for the arising of unarisen sloth and torpor, or for the growth and increase of sloth and torpor already arisen? There is boredom, laziness, yawning after meals, and mental sluggishness. In this regard, the frequent application of unwise attention: this is the nourishment for the arising of unarisen sloth and torpor, or for the growth and increase of sloth and torpor already arisen.
Restlessness and Remorse
And what, disciples, is the nourishment for the arising of unarisen restlessness and remorse, or for the growth and increase of restlessness and remorse already arisen? There is non-quietude of the mind. In this regard, the frequent application of unwise attention: this is the nourishment for the arising of unarisen restlessness and remorse, or for the growth and increase of restlessness and remorse already arisen.
Doubt
And what, disciples, is the nourishment for the arising of unarisen doubt, or for the growth and increase of doubt already arisen? There are states that are a basis for doubt. In this regard, the frequent application of unwise attention: this is the nourishment for the arising of unarisen doubt, or for the growth and increase of doubt already arisen.
2. The Nourishment for the Seven Factors of Awakening
Mindfulness
And what, disciples, is the nourishment for the arising of the unarisen mindfulness-awakening-factor, or for the development and fulfillment of the mindfulness-awakening-factor already arisen? There are states that are a basis for mindfulness. In this regard, the frequent application of wise attention: this is the nourishment for the arising of the unarisen mindfulness-awakening-factor, or for the development and fulfillment of the mindfulness-awakening-factor already arisen.
Investigation of Qualities
And what, disciples, is the nourishment for the arising of the unarisen investigation-of-qualities awakening-factor, or for the development and fulfillment of the investigation-of-qualities awakening-factor already arisen? There are skilful and unskilful states, harmful and harmless states, lowly and exalted states, shadowy and bright states with their counterparts. In this regard, the frequent application of wise attention: this is the nourishment for the arising of the unarisen investigation-of-qualities awakening-factor, or for the development and fulfillment of the investigation-of-qualities awakening-factor already arisen.
Energy
And what, disciples, is the nourishment for the arising of the unarisen energy-awakening-factor, or for the development and fulfillment of the energy-awakening-factor already arisen? There is the element of initial effort, the element of persistence, and the element of courageous surge. In this regard, the frequent application of wise attention: this is the nourishment for the arising of the unarisen energy-awakening-factor, or for the development and fulfillment of the energy-awakening-factor already arisen.
Rapture (Joy)
And what, disciples, is the nourishment for the arising of the unarisen rapture-awakening-factor, or for the development and fulfillment of the rapture-awakening-factor already arisen? There are states that are a basis for rapture. In this regard, the frequent application of wise attention: this is the nourishment for the arising of the unarisen rapture-awakening-factor, or for the development and fulfillment of the rapture-awakening-factor already arisen.
Tranquility
And what, disciples, is the nourishment for the arising of the unarisen tranquility-awakening-factor, or for the development and fulfillment of the tranquility-awakening-factor already arisen? There is physical tranquility and mental tranquility. In this regard, the frequent application of wise attention: this is the nourishment for the arising of the unarisen tranquility-awakening-factor, or for the development and fulfillment of the tranquility-awakening-factor already arisen.
Concentration
And what, disciples, is the nourishment for the arising of the unarisen concentration-awakening-factor, or for the development and fulfillment of the concentration-awakening-factor already arisen? There is the sign of stillness and the sign of non-confusion. In this regard, the frequent application of wise attention: this is the nourishment for the arising of the unarisen concentration-awakening-factor, or for the development and fulfillment of the concentration-awakening-factor already arisen.
Equanimity
And what, disciples, is the nourishment for the arising of the unarisen equanimity-awakening-factor, or for the development and fulfillment of the equanimity-awakening-factor already arisen? There are states that are a basis for equanimity. In this regard, the frequent application of wise attention: this is the nourishment for the arising of the unarisen equanimity-awakening-factor, or for the development and fulfillment of the equanimity-awakening-factor already arisen.
3. The Non-Nourishment for the Five Hindrances
Starving Sensual Desire
And what, disciples, is the non-nourishment for the arising of unarisen sensual desire, or for the increase, expansion, and full development of sensual desire already arisen? There is the perception of unattractiveness (asubha-nimitta). In this regard, the frequent application of wise attention: this is the non-nourishment for the arising of unarisen sensual desire, or for the increase, expansion, and full development of sensual desire already arisen.
Starving Ill-Will
And what, disciples, is the non-nourishment for the arising of unarisen ill-will, or for the increase, expansion, and full development of ill-will already arisen? There is the hearts release through goodwill (mettā cetovimutti). In this regard, the frequent application of wise attention: this is the non-nourishment for the arising of unarisen ill-will, or for the increase, expansion, and full development of ill-will already arisen.
Starving Sloth and Torpor
And what, disciples, is the non-nourishment for the arising of unarisen sloth and torpor, or for the increase, expansion, and full development of sloth and torpor already arisen? There is the element of initial effort, the element of persistence, and the element of courageous surge. In this regard, the frequent application of wise attention: this is the non-nourishment for the arising of unarisen sloth and torpor, or for the increase, expansion, and full development of sloth and torpor already arisen.
Starving Restlessness and Remorse
And what, disciples, is the non-nourishment for the arising of unarisen restlessness and remorse, or for the increase, expansion, and full development of restlessness and remorse already arisen? There is the stilling of the mind. In this regard, the frequent application of wise attention: this is the non-nourishment for the arising of unarisen restlessness and remorse, or for the increase, expansion, and full development of restlessness and remorse already arisen.
Starving Doubt
And what, disciples, is the non-nourishment for the arising of unarisen doubt, or for the increase, expansion, and full development of doubt already arisen? There are skilful and unskilful states, blameworthy and blameless states, lowly and exalted states, shadowy and bright states with their counterparts. In this regard, the frequent application of wise attention: this is the non-nourishment for the arising of unarisen doubt, or for the increase, expansion, and full development of doubt already arisen.
4. The Non-Nourishment for the Seven Factors of Awakening
Neglecting the Factors
And what, disciples, is the non-nourishment for the arising of the unarisen mindfulness... investigation... energy... rapture... tranquility... concentration... and equanimity awakening-factors? In this regard, the frequent application of lack of attention (amanasikāra): this is the non-nourishment for the arising of these awakening factors, or for their development and fulfillment.
That is what the Tathāgata said.