The Seven Links to Enlightenment Out-Shines All!
The Blessed Buddha once
said:
Supported, Friends, by Himalaya, king of mountains, do the snake-beings
[nagas] grow a body and get
strength. When they have grown a body and
got strength there, they go to the tiny mountain pools,
from there to the
lakes,
from there to the streams, from there to the great rivers, from
there to the
sea,
and lastly they go to the mighty ocean, where they complete great growth of
body.
Just even so, Bhikkhus
and friends, any one supported by morality, fixed in
morality,
who cultivates the 7 Links to Enlightenment,
makes much of them, wins
great
growth of the right conditions and prerequisite causes of Enlightenment!
How does a Noble being, so founded in morality, so fixed in morality,
cultivate the 7 Links to Enlightenment,
make much of them, and win great
growth of the right conditions, and necessary causes of total Awakening?
Such Noble Being simply cultivates the Link to Enlightenment that is
Awareness,
based on isolation, on detachment, on stilling, which culminates in
self-surrender.
Such Noble Being simply cultivates the Link to Enlightenment that is
Investigation,
based on solitude, on dispassion, on ceasing, which culminates in
relinquishment.
Such Noble Being simply cultivates the
Link to Enlightenment that is
Energy,
based on seclusion, on indifference, on cooling, which culminates in
elevation.
Such Noble Being simply cultivates the Link to Enlightenment that is
Joy,
based on retreat, on disinterestedness, on ending, which culminates in
renouncing.
Such Noble Being simply cultivates the Link to Enlightenment that is
Tranquillity,
based on aloofness, on disgust, on stopping, which culminates in
deliverance.
Such Noble Being simply cultivates the Link to Enlightenment that is
Concentration,
based on separation, on release, on
silencing, which culminates in
emancipation.
Such Noble Being simply cultivates the Link to Enlightenment that is
Equanimity,
based on withdrawal, on detachment, on stilling, which culminates in
utter self-surrender...
That is how a Noble being, founded in morality, fixed in morality,
cultivates the 7 Links to Enlightenment,
and by making much of them, wins to greatness of the conditions that
causes the effect of
Enlightenment!
Source: Samyutta Nikāya V
More on these
seven Sublime links to Awakening:
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Seven_Links_to_Awakening.htm
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/The_Meaning_of_the-7_Links_to_Awakening.htm
