“Bhikkhus, just as the footprints of all living beings that walk fit into the footprint of the elephant, and the elephant’s footprint is declared to be the chief among them, that is, with respect to size, so too whatever wholesome states there are, they are all rooted in diligence, converge upon diligence, and diligence is declared to be the chief among them. When a bhikkhu is diligent, it is to be expected that he will develop and cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path….”
sn.45.140 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)
The Footprint
- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi
- Editor: Blake Walsh
Footprints
“The footprints of all creatures that walk can fit inside an elephant’s footprint.So an elephant’s footprint is said to be the biggest of them all.
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 thought, 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.”