[14] Bhikkhus, there are these four strivings (padhāna). What four? Striving by restraint (saṃvarappadhāna), striving by abandonment (pahānappadhāna), striving by development (bhāvanāppadhāna), and striving by protection (anurakkhanāppadhāna).
And what, bhikkhus, is striving by restraint? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, having seen a form with the eye, does not grasp at its sign (nimitta) nor grasp at its details (anubyañjana). Since, if he dwelt with the eye faculty unrestrained, evil, unwholesome states of covetousness and grief (abhijjhā-domanassa) might flow in upon him, he practises for its restraint; he guards the eye faculty, he undertakes restraint of the eye faculty. Having heard a sound with the ear … having smelled an odour with the nose … having tasted a flavour with the tongue … having touched a tangible object with the body … having cognized a dhamma with the mind, he does not grasp at its sign nor grasp at its details. Since, if he dwelt with the mind faculty unrestrained, evil, unwholesome states of covetousness and grief might flow in upon him, he practises for its restraint; he guards the mind faculty, he undertakes restraint of the mind faculty. This, bhikkhus, is called striving by restraint.
And what, bhikkhus, is striving by abandonment? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu does not tolerate an arisen thought of sensual pleasure (kāmavitakka); he abandons it, dispels it, terminates it, and brings it to non-existence. An arisen thought of ill will (byāpāda) … an arisen thought of harming (vihiṃsāvitakka) … he does not tolerate evil, unwholesome states whenever they arise; he abandons them, dispels them, terminates them, and brings them to non-existence. This, bhikkhus, is called striving by abandonment.
And what, bhikkhus, is striving by development? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the awakening factor of mindfulness (sati), which is based upon seclusion, based upon dispassion, based upon cessation, maturing in relinquishment. He develops the awakening factor of investigation of dhammas (dhammavicaya) … he develops the awakening factor of energy (vīriya) … he develops the awakening factor of rapture (pīti) … he develops the awakening factor of tranquility (passaddhi) … he develops the awakening factor of concentration (samādhi) … he develops the awakening factor of equanimity (upekkhā), which is based upon seclusion, based upon dispassion, based upon cessation, maturing in relinquishment. This, bhikkhus, is called striving by development.
And what, bhikkhus, is striving by protection? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu protects an arisen excellent sign of concentration (samādhinimitta): the perception of a skeleton, the perception of a worm-infested corpse, the perception of a livid corpse, the perception of a festering corpse, the perception of a fissured corpse, the perception of a bloated corpse. This, bhikkhus, is called striving by protection.
These, bhikkhus, are the four strivings.
Restraint and abandonment,
development and protection—
these four strivings were taught
by the Kinsman of the Sun;
by these means a bhikkhu here, being ardent,
attains the destruction of suffering (dukkha).
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.