sn.46.7 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)
The Peaked House
“Bhikkhus, just as all the rafters of a peaked house slant, slope, and incline towards the roof peak, so too, when a bhikkhu develops and cultivates the seven factors of enlightenment, he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.
“And how is this so? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of mindfulness, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release…. He develops the enlightenment factor of equanimity, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release. It is in this way that a bhikkhu develops and cultivates the seven factors of enlightenment so that he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.”
- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi
- Editor: Blake Walsh
A Bungalow
“Mendicants, the rafters of a bungalow all slant, slope, and incline to the peak.
In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the seven awakening factors slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.
And how does a mendicant who develops the seven awakening factors slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment?
It’s when a mendicant develops the awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion,
and equanimity, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go.
That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the seven awakening factors slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”
