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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
