How are the Seven Links to Awakening Fulfilled?
Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this:
How, Ānanda, are the Four Foundations of Awareness trained and developed
so that they fulfil the Seven Links to Awakening?
Whenever, Ānanda, a Bhikkhu is reflecting upon body only as an accumulation,
right on that occasion, unconfused and undistracted awareness is established
in that Bhikkhu. Therefore on that occasion the Awareness Link to Awakening
is aroused, and as it gradually develops, it reaches fulfilment in that Bhikkhu.
Dwelling thus aware, he investigates & examines that state by understanding,
Whenever, Ānanda, a Bhikkhu dwells investigating a state, on that occasion the
Investigation Link to Awakening is aroused, & as it gradually develops by many
repetitions, it reaches fulfilment in that Bhikkhu. While he investigates states
with understanding, examines them, his energy is aroused without slackening!
On that occasion the Energy Link to Awakening is enlivened, & as it gradually
develops by many reiterations, it comes to reach fulfilment in that Bhikkhu.
When his enthusiastic energy is aroused, there arises in him a rapturous joy!
On that occasion the Joy Link to Awakening is instigated, & as it gradually
develops by many renewals, it comes to reach fulfilment in that Bhikkhu.
Both the body & mind becomes tranquil, in whoever is mentally elated by joy.
On that occasion the Tranquillity Link to Awakening is therefore induced, and
as it gradually develops by maturation, it reaches fulfilment in that Bhikkhu.
In one whose body is tranquil & who is happy, the mind becomes concentrated!
On that occasion, the Concentration Link to Awakening is therefore stimulated,
& as it gradually develops by training, it reaches fulfilment in that Bhikkhu.
He then just looks on this concentrated mind with imperturbable equanimity...
On that occasion the Equanimity Link to Awakening is therefore induced, and
as it gradually develops by rehearsal, it reaches fulfilment in that Bhikkhu.
It is, Ānanda, when the four Foundations of Awareness are trained & refined
in exactly this very way, that they fulfill the Seven Links to Awakening...!
More on these Seven Sublime Links to Awakening:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Links_to_Awakening.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Awareness_Sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Investigation_Vicaya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Energy_Viriya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Joy_Piti.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Tranquillity_Passaddhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Concentration_Samadhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Equanimity_Upekkha.htm
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikāya. [V:331-33]
section 54: Ānāpānasamyutta. Thread 13: Ānanda
