Aṇguttara Nikāya
4. Catukka Nipāta
VII. Pattakamma Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
Chapter VII: Deeds of Merit
Sutta 69
Padhāna Suttaṃ
Effort[1]
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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[1] Thus have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.
The Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four efforts.
What four?
The effort to restrain,
that to abandon,
that to make-become,
and the effort to preserve.
And of what sort, monks,
is the effort to restrain?
Herein a monk generates desire
for the non-arising of evil,
unprofitable states
that have not yet arisen;
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind (to this end).
This, monks, is called
"the effort to restrain."
And of what sort, monks,
is the effort to abandon?
Herein a monk generates desire
for the abandoning of evil,
[84] unprofitable states
that have arisen;
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind (to this end).
This is called
"the effort to abandon."
And of what sort, monks,
is the effort to make-become?
Herein he generates desire
for the arising of profitable states
not yet arisen;
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind (to this end).[2]
This is called
"the effort to make-become."
And of what sort, monks,
is the effort to preserve?
Herein a monk generates desire
for the establishing,
for the non-confusion,
for the more-becoming,
for the increase,
cultivation
and fulfilment
of profitable states that have arisen;
he makes an effort,
sets going energy,
he lays hold of
and exerts his mind (to this end).
This is called "the effort to preserve."
So these, monks, are the four efforts.
Restraint, leaving, making-become, preserving -
These are the four exertions taught by him,
The Kinsman of the Sun. Herein a monk
Ardently striving makes an end of Ill.'[3]
[1] Cf. K.S. v, 219, Right Efforts, and above, I, §§ 3, 4.[sic. 13, 14]
