SN 45-56 The Group of Connected Discourses on the Path – Mahāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 45 Linked Discourses on the Eightfold Path – Maggasaṁyutta > SN 45.140 Footprints

Linked Discourses 45.140 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 45.140

11. Abbreviated Texts on Diligence – 11. Appamādapeyyālavagga

SN 45.140 Footprints – Padasutta

“The footprints of all creatures that walk can fit inside an elephant’s footprint.

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, yāni kānici jaṅgalānaṁ pāṇānaṁ padajātāni, sabbāni tāni hatthipade samodhānaṁ gacchanti;

So an elephant’s footprint is said to be the biggest of them all.

hatthipadaṁ tesaṁ aggamakkhāyati, yadidaṁ—mahantattena;

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.

evameva kho, bhikkhave, ye keci kusalā dhammā, sabbe te appamādamūlakā appamādasamosaraṇā; appamādo tesaṁ dhammānaṁ aggamakkhāyati.

A bhikkhu who is diligent can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path.

Appamattassetaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bhāvessati ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bahulīkarissati.

And how does a bhikkhu who is diligent develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu appamatto ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bhāveti ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bahulīkaroti?

It’s when a bhikkhu develops right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samādhi, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. …

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sammādiṭṭhiṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ …pe… sammāsamādhiṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ …

That’s how a bhikkhu who is diligent develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.”

evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu appamatto ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bhāveti ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bahulīkarotī”ti.