sn.46.48 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)
The Sun
“Bhikkhus, this is the forerunner and precursor of the rising of the sun, that is, the dawn. So too, for a bhikkhu this is the forerunner and precursor of the arising of the seven factors of enlightenment, that is, good friendship. When a bhikkhu has a good friend, it is to be expected that he will develop and cultivate the seven factors of enlightenment.
“And how does a bhikkhu who has a good friend develop and cultivate the seven factors of enlightenment? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of mindfulness … he develops the enlightenment factor of equanimity, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release. It is in this way that a bhikkhu who has a good friend develops and cultivates the seven factors of enlightenment.”
- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi
- Editor: Blake Walsh
The Sun
“Mendicants, the dawn is the forerunner and precursor of the sunrise.
In the same way, for a mendicant good friendship is the forerunner and precursor of the arising of the seven awakening factors.
A mendicant with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the seven awakening factors.
And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the seven awakening factors?
It’s when a mendicant develops the awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion,
and equanimity, 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 seven awakening factors.”