[344] Eight grounds for arousing energy (ārabbhavatthu):
Friends, here a bhikkhu has work to do. He thinks: 'I shall have work to do; but while doing the work it will not be easy to attend to the teaching of the Buddhas. Let me, then, arouse energy (vīriya) for the attainment of what has not been attained, for the achievement of what has not been achieved, for the realization of what has not been realized.' He arouses energy for the attainment of what has not been attained, for the achievement of what has not been achieved, for the realization of what has not been realized. This is the first ground for arousing energy.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu has done work. He thinks: 'I have done work; but while doing the work I was unable to attend to the teaching of the Buddhas. Let me, then, arouse energy …' He arouses energy … This is the second ground for arousing energy.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu has a journey to make. He thinks: 'I shall have a journey to make; but while making the journey it will not be easy to attend to the teaching of the Buddhas. Let me, then, arouse energy …' He arouses energy … This is the third ground for arousing energy.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu has made a journey. He thinks: 'I have made a journey; but while making the journey I was unable to attend to the teaching of the Buddhas. Let me, then, arouse energy …' He arouses energy … This is the fourth ground for arousing energy.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, wandering for alms in a village or town, does not get his fill of food, whether coarse or fine, as much as he needs. He thinks: 'Wandering for alms in a village or town, I did not get my fill of food, whether coarse or fine, as much as I need. My body is light and fit for work. Let me, then, arouse energy …' He arouses energy … This is the fifth ground for arousing energy.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, wandering for alms in a village or town, gets his fill of food, whether coarse or fine, as much as he needs. He thinks: 'Wandering for alms in a village or town, I got my fill of food, whether coarse or fine, as much as I need. My body is strong and fit for work. Let me, then, arouse energy …' He arouses energy … This is the sixth ground for arousing energy.
Furthermore, friends, a slight illness has arisen in a bhikkhu. He thinks: 'This slight illness has arisen in me; it is possible that my illness may grow worse. Let me, then, arouse energy …' He arouses energy … This is the seventh ground for arousing energy.
Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu has recovered from illness, having recovered from sickness not long ago. He thinks: 'I have recovered from illness, having recovered from sickness not long ago; it is possible that my illness may return. Let me, then, arouse energy for the attainment of what has not been attained, for the achievement of what has not been achieved, for the realization of what has not been realized.' He arouses energy for the attainment of what has not been attained, for the achievement of what has not been achieved, for the realization of what has not been realized. This is the eighth ground for arousing energy.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.