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Vitthāra Sutta – Explanation (of the four means of practice) – AN 4.162

4/25/2014

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"Mendicants, there are four ways practice can progress!
(The Mendicants asked) What at these four ways?
(The Buddha responded)
There is the practice that is difficult where understanding develops slowly;
the practice that is difficult where understanding develops quickly;
the practice that is easy where understanding develops slowly;
and the practice that is easy where understanding develops quickly.

(The mendicants further asked) What is the practice that is difficult where understanding develops slowly?
Mendicants, In this world there are those who are by nature passionate,
and often experience passion, stress and sorrow (due to that).
Or they are those who are by nature hateful,
and often experience anger, stress and sorrow (due to that).
Or they are those who by nature ignore things,
and often experience delusion, stress and sorrow (due to that).
Their five faculties of conviction; effort; mindfulness; focus; and discernment, are weak when present.
Because the five faculties are weak the progress of destroying the effluents happens slowly.
Mendicants, this is the practice that is difficult where understanding develops slowly!

(The mendicants further asked) What is the practice that is difficult where understanding develops quickly?
Mendicants, In this world there are those who are by nature passionate,
and often experience passion, stress and sorrow (due to that).
Or they are those who are by nature hateful,
and often experience anger, stress and sorrow (due to that).
Or they are those who by nature ignore things,
and often experience delusion, stress and sorrow (due to that).
Their five faculties of conviction; effort; mindfulness; focus; and discernment, are strong when present.
Because the five faculties are strong the progress of destroying the effluents happens quickly.
Mendicants, this is the practice that is difficult where understanding develops quickly!

(The mendicants further asked) What is the practice that is easy where understanding develops slowly?
Mendicants, In this world there are those who are not by nature passionate,
and do not often experience passion, stress and sorrow (due to that).
Or they are those who are not by nature hateful,
and do not often experience anger, stress and sorrow (due to that).
Or they are those who are not by nature ignore things,
and do not often experience delusion, stress and sorrow (due to that).
Their five faculties of conviction; effort; mindfulness; focus; and discernment, are weak when present.
Because the five faculties are weak the progress of destroying the effluents happens slowly.
Mendicants, this is the practice that is easy where understanding develops slowly!

(The mendicants further asked) What is the practice that is easy where understanding develops quickly?
Mendicants, In this world there are those who are not by nature passionate,
and do not often experience passion, stress and sorrow (due to that).
Or they are those who are not by nature hateful,
and do not often experience anger, stress and sorrow (due to that).
Or they are those who are not by nature ignore things,
and do not often experience delusion, stress and sorrow (due to that).
Their five faculties of conviction; effort; mindfulness; focus; and discernment, are strong when present.
Because the five faculties are strong the progress of destroying the effluents happens quickly.
Mendicants, this is the practice that is easy where understanding develops quickly!
imā kho, bhikkhave, catasso paṭipadā”ti. dutiyaṃ.
Mendicants, these are the four types of practice (a person may go through).
The Second (discourse of the chapter on practice).
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    All translations here are from Pali to English by Cittasanto, done for personal reflection and understanding, not as expert translations.
    Please read translations by other translators who are far more skilled in the Pali language such as Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Ajahn Geoff) or Ven. Bhikkhu Bhodhi.
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