[527] "The path (magga)": in what sense is it the path?
At the moment of the path of stream-entry (sotāpattimagga), right view (sammādiṭṭhi), in the sense of seeing, is both the path and the cause for the abandoning of wrong view (micchādiṭṭhi); it is both the path and the cause for the support of co-arisen dhammas; it is both the path and the cause for the exhaustion of the defilements (kilesa); it is both the path and the cause for the purification of the beginning of penetration (paṭivedha); it is both the path and the cause for the steadying of the mind (citta); it is both the path and the cause for the cleansing of the mind; it is both the path and the cause for the attainment of distinction; it is both the path and the cause for penetrating higher; it is both the path and the cause for the realization of the truth; it is both the path and the cause for establishing in cessation (nirodha).
Right thought (sammāsaṅkappa), in the sense of directing [the mind] onto [its object], is both the path and the cause for the abandoning of wrong thought (micchāsaṅkappa); it is both the path and the cause for the support of co-arisen dhammas; it is both the path and the cause for the exhaustion of the defilements; it is both the path and the cause for the purification of the beginning of penetration; it is both the path and the cause for the steadying of the mind; it is both the path and the cause for the cleansing of the mind; it is both the path and the cause for the attainment of distinction; it is both the path and the cause for penetrating higher; it is both the path and the cause for the realization of the truth; it is both the path and the cause for establishing in cessation.
Right speech (sammāvācā), in the sense of embracing, is both the path and the cause for the abandoning of wrong speech (micchāvācā); it is both the path and the cause for the support of co-arisen dhammas; it is both the path and the cause for the exhaustion of the defilements; it is both the path and the cause for the purification of the beginning of penetration; it is both the path and the cause for the steadying of the mind; it is both the path and the cause for the cleansing of the mind; it is both the path and the cause for the attainment of distinction; it is both the path and the cause for penetrating higher; it is both the path and the cause for the realization of the truth; it is both the path and the cause for establishing in cessation.
Right action (sammākammanta), in the sense of originating, is both the path and the cause for the abandoning of wrong action (micchākammanta); it is both the path and the cause for the support of co-arisen dhammas; it is both the path and the cause for the exhaustion of the defilements; it is both the path and the cause for the purification of the beginning of penetration; it is both the path and the cause for the steadying of the mind; it is both the path and the cause for the cleansing of the mind; it is both the path and the cause for the attainment of distinction; it is both the path and the cause for penetrating higher; it is both the path and the cause for the realization of the truth; it is both the path and the cause for establishing in cessation.
Right livelihood (sammā-ājīva), in the sense of cleansing, is both the path and the cause for the abandoning of wrong livelihood (micchā-ājīva) … Right effort (sammāvāyāma), in the sense of exertion, is both the path and the cause for the abandoning of wrong effort (micchāvāyāma) … Right mindfulness (sammāsati), in the sense of establishing, is both the path and the cause for the abandoning of wrong mindfulness (micchāsati) … Right concentration (sammāsamādhi), in the sense of non-distraction, is both the path and the cause for the abandoning of wrong concentration (micchāsamādhi); it is both the path and the cause for the support of co-arisen dhammas; it is both the path and the cause for the exhaustion of the defilements; it is both the path and the cause for the purification of the beginning of penetration; it is both the path and the cause for the steadying of the mind; it is both the path and the cause for the cleansing of the mind; it is both the path and the cause for the attainment of distinction; it is both the path and the cause for penetrating higher; it is both the path and the cause for the realization of the truth; it is both the path and the cause for establishing in cessation.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.