sn45.31:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you the wrong practice and the right practice. Listen … And what’s the wrong practice? It is wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion. This is called the wrong practice. And what’s the right practice? It is right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the right practice.”

4. Practice

Practice (2nd)

sn45.32:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you one practicing wrongly and one practicing rightly. Listen … And who is practicing wrongly? It’s someone who has wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion. This is called one practicing wrongly. And who is practicing rightly? It’s someone who has right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called one practicing rightly.”

4. Practice

Missed Out

sn45.33:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, whoever has missed out on the noble eightfold path has missed out on the noble path to the complete ending of suffering. Whoever has undertaken the noble eightfold path has undertaken the noble path to the complete ending of suffering. And what is the noble eightfold path? It is right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. Whoever has missed out on the noble eightfold path has missed out on the noble path to the complete ending of suffering. Whoever has undertaken the noble eightfold path has undertaken the noble path to the complete ending of suffering.”

4. Practice

Going to the Far Shore

sn45.34:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, when these eight things are developed and cultivated they lead to going from the near shore to the far shore. What eight? They are right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. When these eight things are developed and cultivated they lead to going from the near shore to the far shore.”

sn45.34:2 That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

sn45.34:3 “Few are those among humans who cross to the far shore. The rest just run around on the near shore.

sn45.34:4 When the teaching is well explained, the people who practice accordingly will cross over Death’s dominion so hard to pass.

sn45.34:5 Rid of dark qualities, an astute person would develop the bright. Having left home for homelessness in seclusion, where joy is hard,

sn45.34:6 they’d long for satisfaction there. Forsaking sensual pleasures, owning nothing, an astute person would cleanse themselves of mental corruptions.

sn45.34:7 And those whose minds are rightly developed in the awakening factors; who, letting go of attachments, delight in not grasping— with defilements ended, brilliant, they are quenched in this world.”

4. Practice

The Ascetic Life (1st)

sn45.35:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you the ascetic life and the fruits of the ascetic life. Listen … And what is the ascetic life? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the ascetic life. And what are the fruits of the ascetic life? The fruits of stream-entry, once-return, non-return, and perfection. These are called the fruits of the ascetic life.”

4. Practice

The Ascetic Life (2nd)

sn45.36:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you the ascetic life and the goal of the ascetic life. Listen … And what is the ascetic life? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the ascetic life. And what is the goal of the ascetic life? The ending of greed, hate, and delusion. This is called the goal of the ascetic life.”

4. Practice

The Brahmin Life (1st)

sn45.37:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you life as a brahmin and the fruits of life as a brahmin. Listen … And what is life as a brahmin? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called life as a brahmin. And what are the fruits of life as a brahmin? The fruits of stream-entry, progress, steadfastness, and perfection. These are called the fruits of life as a brahmin.”

4. Practice

The Brahmin Life (2nd)

sn45.38:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you life as a brahmin and the goal of life as a brahmin. Listen … And what is life as a brahmin? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called life as a brahmin. And what is the goal of life as a brahmin? The ending of greed, hate, and delusion. This is called the goal of life as a brahmin.”

4. Practice

The Spiritual Path (1st)

sn45.39:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you the spiritual path and the fruits of the spiritual path. Listen … And what is the spiritual path? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the spiritual path. And what are the fruits of the spiritual path? The fruits of stream-entry, progress, steadfastness, and perfection. These are called the fruits of the spiritual path.”

4. Practice

The Spiritual Path (2nd)

sn45.40:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you the spiritual path and the goal of the spiritual path. Listen … And what is the spiritual path? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the spiritual path. And what is the goal of the spiritual path? The ending of greed, hate, and delusion. This is called the goal of the spiritual path.”

5. Abbreviated Texts on Followers of Other Religions

The Fading Away of Greed

sn45.41:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, if wanderers who follow another religion were to ask you: ‘Reverends, what’s the goal of leading the spiritual life under the ascetic Gotama?’ You should answer them like this: ‘The goal of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is the fading away of greed.’ If wanderers of other religions were to ask you: ‘Is there a path and a practice for the fading away of greed?’ You should answer them like this: ‘There is a path and a practice for the fading away of greed.’ And what is that path, what is that practice for the fading away of greed? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is the path, this is the practice for the fading away of greed. When questioned by wanderers of other religions, that’s how you should answer them.”

5. Abbreviated Texts on Followers of Other Religions

Six Discourses on Giving Up Fetters, Etc.

sn45.42-47:1 “Mendicants, if wanderers who follow another religion were to ask you: ‘Reverends, what’s the goal of leading the spiritual life under the ascetic Gotama?’ You should answer them like this: ‘The goal of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is to give up the fetters.’ … ‘… to uproot the underlying tendencies.’ … ‘… to completely understand the course of time.’ … ‘… to end the defilements.’ … ‘… to realize the fruit of knowledge and freedom.’ … ‘… for knowledge and vision.’ …”

5. Abbreviated Texts on Followers of Other Religions

Extinguishment With No Fuel For Grasping

sn45.48:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, if wanderers who follow another religion were to ask you: ‘Reverends, what’s the goal of leading the spiritual life under the ascetic Gotama?’ You should answer them like this: ‘The goal of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping.’ If wanderers of other religions were to ask you: ‘Is there a path and a practice for complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping?’ You should answer them like this: ‘There is a path and a practice for complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping.’ And what is that path, what is that practice for complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is the path, this is the practice for complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping. When questioned by wanderers of other religions, that’s how you should answer them.”

6. Abbreviated Texts on the Sun

Good Friends (1st)

sn45.49:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, the dawn is the forerunner and harbinger of the sunrise. In the same way good friendship is the forerunner and harbinger of the noble eightfold path for a mendicant. A mendicant with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

6. Abbreviated Texts on the Sun

Five Discourses on Accomplishment in Ethics, Etc. (1st)

sn45.50-54:1 “Mendicants, the dawn is the forerunner and harbinger of the sunrise. In the same way accomplishment in ethics is the forerunner and harbinger of the arising of the noble eightfold path for a mendicant. A mendicant accomplished in ethics can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. …” … “… accomplishment in enthusiasm …” “… accomplishment in self-development …” “… accomplishment in view …” “… accomplishment in diligence …”

6. Abbreviated Texts on the Sun

Accomplishment in Rational Application of Mind (1st)

sn45.55:1 “Mendicants, the dawn is the forerunner and harbinger of the sunrise. In the same way accomplishment in rational application of mind is the forerunner and harbinger of the noble eightfold path for a mendicant. A mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

6. Abbreviated Texts on the Sun

Good Friends (2nd)

sn45.56:1 “Mendicants, the dawn is the forerunner and harbinger of the sunrise. In the same way good friendship is the forerunner and harbinger of the noble eightfold path for a mendicant. A mendicant with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

6. Abbreviated Texts on the Sun

Five Discourses on Accomplishment in Ethics, Etc. (2nd)

sn45.57-61:1 “Mendicants, the dawn is the forerunner and harbinger of the sunrise. In the same way accomplishment in ethics is the forerunner and harbinger of the noble eightfold path for a mendicant. …” “… accomplishment in enthusiasm …” “… accomplishment in self-development …” “… accomplishment in view …” “… accomplishment in diligence …”

6. Abbreviated Texts on the Sun

Accomplishment in Rational Application of Mind (2nd)

sn45.62:1 “… accomplishment in rational application of mind. A mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

7. Abbreviated Texts on One Thing

Good Friends (1st)

sn45.63:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, one thing helps give rise to the noble eightfold path. What one thing? It’s good friendship. A mendicant with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

7. Abbreviated Texts on One Thing

Five Discourses on Accomplishment in Ethics, Etc. (1st)

sn45.64-68:1 “Mendicants, one thing helps give rise to the noble eightfold path. What one thing? It’s accomplishment in ethics. …” “… accomplishment in enthusiasm …” “… accomplishment in self-development …” “… accomplishment in view …” “… accomplishment in diligence …”

7. Abbreviated Texts on One Thing

Accomplishment in Rational Application of Mind (1st)

sn45.69:1 “… accomplishment in rational application of mind. A mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

7. Abbreviated Texts on One Thing

Good Friends (2nd)

sn45.70:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, one thing helps give rise to the noble eightfold path. What one thing? It’s good friendship. A mendicant with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

7. Abbreviated Texts on One Thing

Five Discourses on Accomplishment in Ethics, Etc. (2nd)

sn45.71-75:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, one thing helps give rise to the noble eightfold path. What one thing? It’s accomplishment in ethics. …” “… accomplishment in enthusiasm …” “… accomplishment in self-development …” “… accomplishment in view …” “… accomplishment in diligence …”

7. Abbreviated Texts on One Thing

Accomplishment in Rational Application of Mind (2nd)

sn45.76:1 “… accomplishment in rational application of mind. A mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

8. Abbreviated Texts on One Thing

Good Friends

sn45.77:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to the noble eightfold path, or, if it’s already arisen, fully develops it like good friendship. A mendicant with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

8. Abbreviated Texts on One Thing

Five Discourses on Accomplishment in Ethics, Etc.

sn45.78-82:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to the noble eightfold path, or, if it’s already arisen, fully develops it like accomplishment in ethics. …” “… accomplishment in enthusiasm …” “… accomplishment in self-development …” “… accomplishment in view …” “… accomplishment in diligence …”

8. Abbreviated Texts on One Thing

Accomplishment in Rational Application of Mind

sn45.83:1 “… accomplishment in rational application of mind. A mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

8. Abbreviated Texts on One Thing

Good Friends (2nd)

sn45.84:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to the noble eightfold path, or, if it’s already arisen, fully develops it like good friendship. A mendicant with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

8. Abbreviated Texts on One Thing

Five Discourses on Accomplishment in Ethics, Etc.

sn45.85-89:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to the noble eightfold path, or, if it’s already arisen, fully develops it like accomplishment in ethics. …” “… accomplishment in enthusiasm …” “… accomplishment in self-development …” “… accomplishment in view …” “… accomplishment in diligence …”

8. Abbreviated Texts on One Thing

Accomplishment in Rational Application of Mind (2nd)

sn45.90:1 “… accomplishment in rational application of mind. A mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

9. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Slanting East

sn45.91:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

9. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Four Discourses on Slanting East

sn45.92-95:1 “Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. …” “… the Aciravatī River …” “… the Sarabhū River …” “… the Mahī River …”

9. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Sixth Discourse on Slanting East

sn45.96:1 “Mendicants, all the great rivers—that is, the Ganges, Yamunā, Aciravatī, Sarabhū, and Mahī—slant, slope, and incline toward the east. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

9. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Slanting to the Ocean

sn45.97:1 “Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. In the same way, a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. …”

9. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Five Discourses on Slanting to the Ocean

sn45.98-102:1 “Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. …” “… the Aciravatī River …” “… the Sarabhū River …” “… the Mahī River …” “… all the great rivers …”

10. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Slanting East

sn45.103:1 “Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

10. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Five Discourses on Sloping to the East

sn45.104:1 “Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. …”

sn45.105:1 “… the Aciravatī River …”

sn45.106:1 “… the Sarabhū River …”

sn45.107:1 “… the Mahī River …”

sn45.108:1 “… all the great rivers …”

10. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Slanting to the Ocean

sn45.109:1 “Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

10. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Slanting to the Ocean

sn45.110:1 “Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. …”

sn45.111:1 “… the Aciravatī River …”

sn45.112:1 “… the Sarabhū River …”

sn45.113:1 “… the Mahī River …”

sn45.114:1 “… all the great rivers …”

10. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Slanting East

sn45.115:1 “Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, whose objective, destination, and culmination is freedom from death. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

10. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Slanting East

sn45.116:1 “Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. …”

sn45.117:1 “… the Aciravatī River …”

sn45.118:1 “… the Sarabhū River …”

sn45.119:1 “… the Mahī River …”

sn45.120:1 “… all the great rivers …”

10. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Slanting to the Ocean

sn45.121:1 “Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, whose objective, destination, and culmination is freedom from death. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

10. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Sloping to the Ocean

sn45.122-126:1 “Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. …” “… the Aciravatī River …” “… the Sarabhū River …” “… the Mahī River …” “… all the great rivers …”

10. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Slanting East

sn45.127:1 “Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

10. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Slanting East

sn45.128-132:1 “Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. …” “… the Aciravatī River …” “… the Sarabhū River …” “… the Mahī River …” “… all the great rivers …”

10. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Slanting to the Ocean

sn45.133:1 “Mendicants, the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. And how does a mendicant who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment. That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

10. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Slanting to the Ocean

sn45.134-138:1 “Mendicants, the Yamunā River slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. …” “… the Aciravatī River …” “… the Sarabhū River …” “… the Mahī River …” “… all the great rivers …”

11. Abbreviated Texts on Diligence

The Realized One

sn45.139:1 At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha, is said to be the best of all sentient beings—be they footless, with two feet, four feet, or many feet; with form or formless; with perception or without perception or with neither perception nor non-perception. In the same way, all skillful qualities are rooted in diligence and meet at diligence, and diligence is said to be the best of them. A mendicant who is diligent can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant who is diligent develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant who is diligent develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.

sn45.139:2 Mendicants, the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha, is said to be the best of all sentient beings—be they footless, with two feet, four feet, or many feet; with form or formless; with perception or without perception or with neither perception nor non-perception. In the same way, all skillful qualities are rooted in diligence and meet at diligence, and diligence is said to be the best of them. A mendicant who is diligent can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant who is diligent develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate in the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. That’s how a mendicant who is diligent develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.

sn45.139:3 Mendicants, the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha, is said to be the best of all sentient beings—be they footless, with two feet, four feet, or many feet; with form or formless; with perception or without perception or with neither perception nor non-perception. In the same way, all skillful qualities are rooted in diligence and meet at diligence, and diligence is said to be the best of them. A mendicant who is diligent can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant who is diligent develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, whose objective, destination, and culmination is freedom from death. That’s how a mendicant who is diligent develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.