[205] Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus." "Venerable sir," those bhikkhus replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this:
"Bhikkhus, if wanderers of other sects should ask thus: 'Friends, what is the supporting condition (upanisā) for the development of the states that partake of awakening (sambodhapakkhikā dhammā)?' — being asked thus, bhikkhus, how would you answer those wanderers of other sects?"
"Venerable sir, our teachings are rooted in the Blessed One … Having heard it from the Blessed One, the bhikkhus will remember it."
"Then, bhikkhus, listen and attend closely; I will speak." "Yes, venerable sir," those bhikkhus replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this:
"Bhikkhus, if wanderers of other sects should ask thus: 'Friends, what is the supporting condition for the development of the states that partake of awakening?' — being asked thus, bhikkhus, you should answer those wanderers of other sects thus: 'Here, friends, a bhikkhu has good friends (kalyāṇamitta), good companions, good comrades. This, friends, is the first supporting condition for the development of the states that partake of awakening.
"'Again, friends, a bhikkhu is virtuous; he dwells restrained by the restraint of the Pātimokkha, accomplished in conduct and resort, seeing danger in the slightest faults; having undertaken the training rules, he trains in them. This, friends, is the second supporting condition for the development of the states that partake of awakening.
"'Again, friends, a bhikkhu gets at will, without trouble, without difficulty, such talk as is concerned with effacement, conducive to the opening of the mind — namely, talk on fewness of wishes, talk on contentment, talk on seclusion, talk on non-entanglement, talk on the arousing of energy, talk on virtue, talk on concentration (samādhi), talk on wisdom, talk on liberation, talk on the knowledge and vision of liberation. This, friends, is the third supporting condition for the development of the states that partake of awakening.
"'Again, friends, a bhikkhu dwells with energy (vīriya) aroused for the abandoning of unwholesome states and the acquisition of wholesome states; he is strong, firm in exertion, not shirking the burden with regard to wholesome states. This, friends, is the fourth supporting condition for the development of the states that partake of awakening.
"'Again, friends, a bhikkhu is wise; he is endowed with wisdom directed to arising and passing away, which is noble, penetrative, leading to the complete destruction of suffering (dukkha). This, friends, is the fifth supporting condition for the development of the states that partake of awakening.'
"Bhikkhus, when a bhikkhu has good friends, good companions, good comrades, it may be expected of him that he will be virtuous, will dwell restrained by the restraint of the Pātimokkha, accomplished in conduct and resort, seeing danger in the slightest faults, and, having undertaken the training rules, will train in them.
"When a bhikkhu has good friends, good companions, good comrades, it may be expected of him that he will get at will, without trouble, without difficulty, such talk as is concerned with effacement, conducive to the opening of the mind — namely, talk on fewness of wishes, talk on contentment, talk on seclusion, talk on non-entanglement, talk on the arousing of energy, talk on virtue, talk on concentration, talk on wisdom, talk on liberation, talk on the knowledge and vision of liberation.
"When a bhikkhu has good friends, good companions, good comrades, it may be expected of him that he will dwell with energy aroused for the abandoning of unwholesome states and the acquisition of wholesome states; that he will be strong, firm in exertion, not shirking the burden with regard to wholesome states.
"When a bhikkhu has good friends, good companions, good comrades, it may be expected of him that he will be wise, endowed with wisdom directed to arising and passing away, which is noble, penetrative, leading to the complete destruction of suffering.
"And, bhikkhus, established in these five things, that bhikkhu should further develop four things: the perception of the unattractive (asubha) should be developed for the abandoning of lust (rāga); loving-kindness should be developed for the abandoning of ill will; mindfulness of breathing (ānāpānasati) should be developed for the cutting off of thoughts (vitakka); the perception of impermanence should be developed for the eradication of the conceit 'I am' (asmimāna). Bhikkhus, in a bhikkhu who perceives impermanence, the perception of non-self becomes established; one who perceives non-self attains the eradication of the conceit 'I am' — Nibbāna in this very life."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.