[186] Bhikkhus, there are these eight grounds for arousing energy (ārabbhavatthu). What eight?
Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has work to be done. He thinks thus: 'Work will have to be done by me. But while I am doing the work it will not be easy to attend to the teaching of the Buddhas. Let me then arouse energy beforehand, 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, bhikkhus, is the first ground for arousing energy.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has done some work. He thinks thus: 'I have done some work. But while I was doing the work I was unable to attend to the teaching of the Buddhas. 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 … This, bhikkhus, is the second ground for arousing energy.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has a journey to make. He thinks thus: 'A journey will have to be made by me. But while I am travelling it will not be easy to attend to the teaching of the Buddhas. Let me then arouse energy …' … This, bhikkhus, is the third ground for arousing energy.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has made a journey. He thinks thus: 'I have made a journey. But while I was travelling I was unable to attend to the teaching of the Buddhas. Let me then arouse energy …' … This, bhikkhus, is the fourth ground for arousing energy.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, walking for alms in a village or town, does not obtain his fill of food, whether coarse or fine, as much as he needs. He thinks thus: 'Walking for alms in a village or town, I did not obtain my fill of food, whether coarse or fine, as much as I need. My body is light and workable. Let me then arouse energy …' … This, bhikkhus, is the fifth ground for arousing energy.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, walking for alms in a village or town, obtains his fill of food, whether coarse or fine, as much as he needs. He thinks thus: 'Walking for alms in a village or town, I obtained my fill of food, whether coarse or fine, as much as I need. My body is light and workable. Let me then arouse energy …' … This, bhikkhus, is the sixth ground for arousing energy.
Again, bhikkhus, a slight illness has arisen in a bhikkhu. He thinks thus: 'This slight illness has arisen in me. It is possible that this illness of mine may grow worse. Let me then arouse energy beforehand …' … This, bhikkhus, is the seventh ground for arousing energy.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has recovered from illness, has recently recovered from sickness. He thinks thus: 'I have recovered from illness, I have recently recovered from sickness. It is possible that my illness may return. Let me then arouse energy beforehand, 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, bhikkhus, is the eighth ground for arousing energy.
These, bhikkhus, are the eight grounds for arousing energy.
The Yamakavagga, the Third [Chapter].
Its summary (uddāna):
Two on modes of practice, and the others; Icchā, Lacchā, decline,
laziness, and the grounds for arousing energy.
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The Sativagga, the Fourth [Chapter]
[Footnote to the Pali: ¹ The Burmese edition reads "kammaṃ kho mayā karontena."]
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.