[457] "Just so, bhikkhus, in this Dhamma and Discipline there are eight astounding and amazing qualities, seeing which again and again, bhikkhus delight in this Dhamma and Discipline. What are the eight?
Just as, bhikkhus, the great ocean slopes down gradually, inclines gradually, shelves gradually, with no abrupt precipice, even so, bhikkhus, in this Dhamma and Discipline there is gradual training (anupubbasikkhā), gradual practice, gradual progress; there is no penetration to final knowledge (aññā) all at once. That in this Dhamma and Discipline there is gradual training, gradual practice, gradual progress, with no penetration to final knowledge all at once — this, bhikkhus, is the first astounding and amazing quality in this Dhamma and Discipline, seeing which again and again, bhikkhus delight in this Dhamma and Discipline."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.