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Samyutta Nikaya

# SN 46.51 Āhāra Sutta (That Which Nourishes) SN 46.51

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    [page 1]
    SN 46.51
    Saṁyutta Nikāya
    The Connected Discourses

    Mahāvagga Saṁyutta
    The Connected Discourses on The Great Section
    Magga Saṁyutta
    Connected Discourses on the Path
    Sākaccha Vagga
    The Section on Discussing the Dhamma

    Āhāra Sutta
    “That Which Nourishes”

    Translated by Bhikkhu Candana
    Copyright © Bhikkhu Candana 2024

    Once, while staying in Sāvatthī, The Blessed One addressed the Bhikkhus and said:

    “Bhikkhus, I will instruct you on what it is, that nourishes and feeds the five hindrances, and that
    which starves them.

    “In addition, Bhikkhus, I will teach you on what it is, that nourishes and feeds the Seven Factors
    of Awakening, allowing each of them to develop into maturity, as well as caution you as to what
    depletes and inhibits their growth; starving them from ever reaching healthy maturity, and thus
    their fullest potential.

    “Now, listen carefully to what I shall say.”

    “Yes, Bhante,” the Bhikkhus replied.

    The Blessed One then continued by instructing,

    A. That which Nourishes the Hindering Obstructions (Nīvaraṇa)

    A1. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which nourishes the arising of sensual desire that had not yet
    arisen, and leads to the increase and further growth of the already arisen sensual desire?

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    “When, Bhikkhus, one witnesses a sign that is reckoned as pleasurable or beautiful to
    experience, then, while allowing his mindfulness to drift away and be thus pulled into that sign,
    he frequently goes back to it and gives it his constant unwise radical attention. Now, this itself
    will instigate and keep fueling that sense desire into existence; nourishing and helping unarisen
    sensual desire to arise in his mind, while also increasing and further perpetuating the growth of
    any sensual desire that is already present.

    A2. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which nourishes the arising of ill will or the sense of loathing
    and hatred that had not yet arisen, and leads to the increase and further growth of the already
    arisen ill will or the sense of loathing and hatred?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one witnesses a sign that is reckoned as repulsive, generating resistance in
    oneself towards the experience, then, while allowing his mindfulness to drift away and be thus
    pulled into that sign, he frequently goes back to it and gives it his constant unwise radical
    attention. Now, this itself will instigate and keep fueling that ill will or sense of loathing and
    hatred into existence; nourishing and helping the unarisen ill will or sense of loathing and hatred
    to arise in his mind, while also increasing and further perpetuating the growth of any ill will or
    sense of loathing and hatred that is already present.
    A3. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which nourishes the arising of drowsiness and sloth or
    procrastination that had not yet arisen, and leads to the increase and further growth of the already
    arisen drowsiness and sloth or procrastination?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one experiences boredom, tiredness of the body or mind, sluggishness,
    irritability, becomes drowsy after a heavy meal, or feels lethargic, then, while allowing his
    mindfulness to drift away and be thus pulled into such states of being, he frequently goes back to
    them and gives them his constant unwise radical attention. Now, this itself will instigate and
    keep fueling those states of drowsiness and sloth or procrastination into existence; nourishing
    and helping the unarisen drowsiness and sloth or procrastination to arise in his mind, while also
    increasing and further perpetuating the growth of any drowsiness and sloth or procrastination
    that are already present.
    A4. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which nourishes the arising of restlessness and remorse or
    worry that had not yet arisen, and leads to the increase and further growth of the already arisen
    restlessness and remorse or worry?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one experiences the heart being unsettled, lacking calm and tranquility, while
    allowing his mindfulness to drift away and be thus pulled into thoughts and worries that
    unsettled his sense of peace, then, he frequently goes back to them and gives them his constant
    unwise radical attention. Now, this itself will instigate and keep fueling those states of
    restlessness and remorse or worry into existence; nourishing and helping the unarisen
    restlessness and remorse or worry to arise in his mind, while also increasing and further
    perpetuating the growth of any restlessness and remorse or worry that are already present.

    A5. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which nourishes the arising of skeptical doubts, uncertainty, or
    perplexity that had not yet arisen, and leads to the increase and further growth of the already
    arisen skeptical doubts, uncertainty, or perplexity?

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    “When, Bhikkhus, one experiences mind objects (dhammā) that cause states of anxiety and
    uncertainty, then, while allowing his mindfulness to drift away and be thus pulled into thoughts
    or states of uncertainty, he frequently goes back to them and gives them his constant unwise
    radical attention. Now, this itself will instigate and keep fueling those states of skeptical doubts,
    uncertainty, or perplexity into existence; nourishing and helping the unarisen skeptical doubts,
    uncertainty, or perplexity to arise in his mind, while also increasing and further perpetuating the
    growth of any skeptical doubts, uncertainty, or perplexity that are already present.

    B. That which Nourishes the Seven Factors of Awakening
    (Sambojjhaṅga)

    B1. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which nourishes the arising of the mindfulness awakening
    factor which had not yet arisen, and leads to the increase and further growth of the already arisen
    mindfulness awakening factor?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one brings himself to live life with mindfulness and full awareness through
    the means of the Four Establishments of Mindfulness, in order to activate the mindfulness
    awakening factor, and thus, while further encouraging his attention to stay with those states, he
    frequently goes back to them and gives them his constant wise radical attention.

    “Now, this itself will keep fueling the mindfulness awakening factor, instigating it into existence;
    nourishing and helping the unarisen mindfulness awakening factor to arise in his mind, while
    further increasing and expanding the growth of the already arisen mindfulness awakening factor.
    B2. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which nourishes the arising of the investigation of states
    awakening factor which had not yet arisen, and leads to the increase and further growth of the
    already arisen investigation of states awakening factor?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one intentionally and carefully probes those mind objects, qualities and states
    of mind that are either skillful or unskillful, that are either blameless or blamable, discerning
    those that are bright and pure from those that are dark and impure, while further encouraging his
    attention to stay with that spirit of healthy inquiry, he thus frequently goes back to that
    investigative awakening factor and gives it his constant wise radical attention.

    “Now, this itself will keep fueling the investigation of states awakening factor, instigating it into
    existence; nourishing and helping the unarisen investigation of states awakening factor to arise in
    his mind, while further increasing and expanding the growth of the already arisen investigation
    of states awakening factor.
    B3. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which nourishes the arising of the energy awakening factor
    which had not yet arisen, and leads to the increase and further growth of the already arisen
    energy awakening factor?

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    “When, Bhikkhus, one intentionally and persistently takes initiative, without procrastinating,
    delaying, while exerting himself and encouraging his attention to stay with that energy to push
    through his inertia, he thus frequently goes back to it and gives it his constant wise radical
    attention.

    “Now, this itself will keep fueling the energy awakening factor, instigating it into existence;
    nourishing and helping the unarisen energy awakening factor to arise in his mind, while further
    increasing and expanding the growth of the already arisen energy awakening factor.
    B4. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which nourishes the arising of the spiritual joy awakening
    factor which had not yet arisen, and leads to the increase and further growth of the already arisen
    spiritual joy awakening factor?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one places his focus upon any or all those qualities that inspire him to be on
    this Path, such as reflecting on his development and transformation through this training, which
    brings up joy in his heart, along with reflecting on the especially refreshing qualities of The
    Triple Gem, as he continuously encourages his attention to stay with that invigorating spiritual
    joy, he thus frequently goes back to it and gives it his constant wise radical attention.

    “Now, this itself will keep fueling the spiritual joy awakening factor, instigating it into existence;
    nourishing and helping the unarisen spiritual joy awakening factor to arise in his mind, while
    further increasing and expanding the growth of the already arisen spiritual joy awakening factor.

    B5. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which nourishes the arising of the tranquility of mind
    awakening factor which had not yet arisen, and leads to the increase and further growth of the
    already arisen tranquility of mind awakening factor?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one observes the body becoming tranquil, along with the heart that is
    becoming tranquil and open, then, he frequently goes back to this state of tranquility and gives it
    his constant wise radical attention.

    “Now, this itself will keep fueling the tranquility of mind awakening factor, instigating it into
    existence; nourishing and helping the unarisen tranquility of mind awakening factor to arise in
    his mind, while further increasing and expanding the growth of the already arisen tranquility of
    mind awakening factor.

    B6. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which nourishes the arising of the collectedness of mind
    awakening factor which had not yet arisen, and leads to the increase and further growth of the
    already arisen collectedness of mind awakening factor?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one brings the mind to rest upon the sign of that, which establishes the heart
    in deep serenity and maintains it there without dispersing it, while the mind becomes more stable
    and firmly settled, he thus frequently goes back to this state, giving it his constant wise radical
    attention.

    “Now, this itself will keep fueling the collectedness of mind awakening factor, instigating it into
    existence; nourishing and helping the unarisen collectedness of mind awakening factor to arise in

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    his mind, while further increasing and expanding the growth of the already arisen collectedness
    of mind awakening factor.

    B7. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which nourishes the arising of the equanimity awakening
    factor which had not yet arisen, and leads to the increase and further growth of the already arisen
    equanimity awakening factor?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one induces in himself a balanced attitude towards everything, whether
    internal or external, encouraging the heart to feel the quiet safety that equanimity brings to
    everything, while he supports it further by encouraging situations and choices for himself that
    help bring about this equanimous state of wellbeing, he thus frequently goes back to this state,
    giving it his constant wise radical attention.

    “Now, this itself will keep fueling the equanimity awakening factor, instigating it into existence;
    nourishing and helping the unarisen equanimity awakening factor to arise in his mind, while
    further increasing and expanding the growth of the already arisen equanimity awakening factor.

    C. That which Deprives the Obstructions from their Nourishment to
    Persist

    C1. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which deprives the yet unarisen sensual desire from its
    nourishment, thereby ending it right there on the spot, not letting it sprout, while also not letting
    the already arisen sensual desire to either become strong, or dominate the heart?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one brings up the sign, impression, or image of that which is repulsive,
    rousing a sense of unmistakable and immediate disgust towards the object, while compelling his
    mindfulness to stay with that aspect, instead of the seemingly pleasurable traits and features
    being experienced at that moment, this in itself then, obliterates the very pull the sensual desire
    was to have upon him. In this manner, he frequently goes back to this awareness of the repulsive
    and gives it his constant wise radical attention.

    “Now, this itself will deprive the not yet arisen sensual desire from its nourishment, thereby
    starving and ending it right there on the spot, in addition to greatly weakening and eliminating
    the growth of any sensual desire that is already present.

    C2. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which deprives the yet unarisen ill will or sense of loathing or
    hatred from its nourishment, thereby ending it right there on the spot, not letting it sprout, while
    also not letting the already arisen ill will, sense of loathing or hatred to either become strong, or
    dominate the heart?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one infuses within himself the powerfully freeing presence of loving kindness
    which permeates the heart, while compelling his mindfulness to stay with that liberating feeling
    of the heart’s release through loving kindness, instead of the seemingly painful or unpleasant
    traits or features being experienced at that moment, this then leads to obliterating the very

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    resistance, which ill will or hatred were to have generated within him. Thus, he frequently goes
    back to this awareness of the heart’s release through loving kindness, and gives it his constant
    wise radical attention.

    “Now, this itself will deprive the not yet arisen ill will or sense of loathing or hatred from its
    nourishment, thereby starving and ending it right there on the spot, in addition to greatly
    weakening and eliminating the growth of any ill will or sense of loathing or hatred that is already
    present.
    C3. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which deprives the yet unarisen drowsiness and sloth or
    procrastination from their nourishment, thereby ending them right there on the spot, not letting
    them sprout, while also not letting the already arisen drowsiness and sloth or procrastination to
    either become strong or dominate the heart?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one intentionally and persistently takes initiative, without procrastinating or
    delaying to take action, while exerting himself and encouraging his attention to stay with that
    energy to push through his inertia, he thus frequently goes back to it and gives it his constant
    wise radical attention.

    “Now, this itself will deprive the not yet arisen drowsiness and sloth or procrastination from their
    nourishment, thereby starving and ending them right there on the spot, in addition to greatly
    weakening and eliminating the growth of any drowsiness and sloth or procrastination that are
    already present.

    C4. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which deprives the yet unarisen restlessness and remorse or
    worry from their nourishment, thereby ending them right there on the spot, not letting them
    sprout, while also not letting the already arisen restlessness and remorse or worry to either
    become strong or dominate the heart?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one permeates his heart with a sense of peace and tranquility, instead of
    allowing himself to be taken by the seemingly agitating traits or features being experienced at
    that moment, this leads to obliterating the effects that restlessness and remorse or worry were to
    have upon him. Thus, he frequently goes back to this awareness of peace and tranquility
    spreading throughout his heart, and gives it his constant wise radical attention.

    “Now, this itself will deprive the not yet arisen restlessness and remorse or worry from their
    nourishment, thereby starving and ending them right there on the spot, in addition to greatly
    weakening and eliminating the growth of any restlessness and remorse or worry, that are already
    present.

    C5. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which deprives the yet unarisen skeptical doubt, uncertainty, or
    perplexity from its nourishment, thereby ending it right there on the spot, not letting it sprout,
    while also not letting the already arisen skeptical doubt, uncertainty, or perplexity to either
    become strong or dominate the heart?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one intentionally and carefully probes those mind objects, qualities and states
    of mind that are either skillful or unskillful, either blameless or blamable, discerning those that

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    are bright and pure from those that are dark and impure, while further encouraging his attention
    to stay with that spirit of healthy inquiry, he thus frequently goes back to honestly looking at
    these factors and gives them his constant wise radical attention.

    “Now, this itself will deprive the not yet arisen skeptical doubt, uncertainty, or perplexity from
    its nourishment, thereby starving and ending it right there on the spot, in addition to greatly
    weakening and eliminating the growth of any skeptical doubt, uncertainty, or perplexity that is
    already present.

    D. That which Deprives the Awakening Factors from their Nourishment

    D1. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which deprives the not yet arisen mindfulness awakening
    factor from its necessary nourishment, thereby starving and not allowing it to sprout, while also
    not letting the already arisen mindfulness awakening factor to grow and reach healthy maturity,
    and thus its fullest potential?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one does not bring himself to live life with mindfulness and full awareness,
    through the means of the Four Establishments of Mindfulness, in order to activate the
    mindfulness awakening factor, nor does he encourage his attention to stay on them, and thus he
    constantly goes back to living with unwise radical attention.

    “Now, this itself will deprive the not yet arisen mindfulness awakening factor from its necessary
    nourishment, thereby starving and not allowing it to sprout, while also not letting the already
    arisen mindfulness awakening factor to grow and reach healthy maturity, and thus its fullest
    potential.

    D2. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which deprives the not yet arisen investigation of states
    awakening factor from its necessary nourishment, thereby starving and not allowing it to sprout,
    while also not letting the already arisen investigation of states awakening factor to grow and
    reach healthy maturity, and thus its fullest potential?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one neither intentionally nor carefully probes those mind objects or states of
    mind that are either skillful or unskillful, when he does not investigate and discern those qualities
    that are blamable from those that are blameless, those that are bright and pure from those that are
    dark and impure, thus he does not encourage himself to keep his attention with that spirit of
    healthy inquiry, and instead constantly goes back to living with unwise radical attention.

    “Now, this itself will deprive the not yet arisen investigation of states awakening factor from its
    necessary nourishment, thereby starving and not allowing it to sprout, while also not letting the
    already arisen investigation of states awakening factor to grow and reach healthy maturity, and
    thus its fullest potential.

    D3. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which deprives the not yet arisen energy awakening factor
    from its necessary nourishment, thereby starving and not allowing it to sprout, while also not

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    letting the already arisen energy awakening factor to grow and reach healthy maturity, and thus
    its fullest potential?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one neither intentionally nor persistently takes initiative, and lives with
    procrastination, always delaying to take action, and not exerting himself, he constantly
    encourages his attention to stay complacent without pushing himself out of his inertia. Thus, he
    continuously keeps falling back to living with unwise radical attention.

    “Now, this itself will deprive the not yet arisen energy awakening factor from its necessary
    nourishment, thereby starving and not allowing it to sprout, while also not letting the already
    arisen energy awakening factor to grow and reach healthy maturity, and thus its fullest potential.

    D4. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which deprives the not yet arisen spiritual joy awakening
    factor from its necessary nourishment, thereby starving and not allowing it to sprout, while also
    not letting the already arisen spiritual joy awakening factor to grow and reach healthy maturity,
    and thus its fullest potential?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one does not place his focus upon any of those qualities that inspire him to be
    on this Path, such as reflecting on his development and transformation through this training, the
    states of mind that bring up joy in the heart, nor appreciating the especially refreshing qualities
    of The Triple Gem, he thus foregoes all that, which invigorate the heart, as he misses out, due to
    his unwise radical attention.

    “Now, this itself will deprive the not yet arisen spiritual joy awakening factor from its necessary
    nourishment, thereby starving and not allowing it to sprout, while also not letting the already
    arisen spiritual joy awakening factor to grow and reach healthy maturity, and thus its fullest
    potential.

    D5. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which deprives the not yet arisen tranquility of mind
    awakening factor from its necessary nourishment, thereby starving and not allowing it to sprout,
    while also not letting the already arisen tranquility of mind awakening factor to grow and reach
    healthy maturity, and thus its fullest potential?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one observes neither the body nor the heart becoming tranquil, and moreover,
    does not seek to go back to this state of tranquility with sufficient frequency, and instead
    constantly goes back to living with unwise radical attention, he thus lets the body and heart live
    with agitation.

    “Now, this itself will deprive the not yet arisen tranquility of mind awakening factor from its
    necessary nourishment, thereby starving and not allowing it to sprout, while also not letting the
    already arisen tranquility of mind awakening factor to grow and reach healthy maturity, and thus
    its fullest potential.

    D6. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which deprives the not yet arisen collectedness of mind
    awakening factor from its necessary nourishment, thereby starving and not allowing it to sprout,

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    while also not letting the already arisen collectedness of mind awakening factor to grow and
    reach healthy maturity, and thus its fullest potential?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one does not bring the mind to rest upon the sign of that, which establishes
    the heart in deep serenity, nor maintains it there without dispersing it, and by not putting enough
    focus on it to make the heart become more stable and firmly settled, he thus misses out, due to
    his unwise radical attention.

    “Now, this itself will deprive the not yet arisen collectedness of mind awakening factor from its
    necessary nourishment, thereby starving and not allowing it to sprout, while also not letting the
    already arisen collectedness of mind awakening factor to grow and reach healthy maturity, and
    thus its fullest potential.

    D7. “And what, Bhikkhus, is that which deprives the not yet arisen equanimity awakening
    factor from its necessary nourishment, thereby starving and not allowing it to sprout, while also
    not letting the already arisen equanimity awakening factor to grow and reach healthy maturity,
    and thus its fullest potential?

    “When, Bhikkhus, one does not induce in himself a balanced attitude towards everything,
    whether internal or external, neither encouraging the heart to feel the quiet safety that equanimity
    brings to everything, nor does he support it by further heartening himself, through greeting
    situations with a deep sense of balanced safety; and thus by not putting enough focus on the
    mind to make it become more balanced and equanimous, he misses out, due to his unwise radical
    attention.

    “Now, this itself will deprive the not yet arisen equanimity awakening factor from its necessary
    nourishment, thereby starving and not allowing it to sprout, while also not letting the already
    arisen equanimity awakening factor to grow and reach healthy maturity, and thus its fullest
    potential.”

    Sādhu

    Sādhu

    Sādhu

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