Grounds for Laziness
“Aṭṭhimāni, bhikkhave, kusītavatthūni. Katamāni aṭṭha?
“Bhikkhus, there are eight grounds of laziness. What are these eight?
1 Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā kammaṁ kattabbaṁ hoti. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘kammaṁ kho me kattabbaṁ bhavissati. Kammaṁ kho pana me karontassa kāyo kilamissati. Handāhaṁ nipajjāmī’ti. So nipajjati, na vīriyaṁ ārabhati appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāya. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamaṁ kusītavatthu.
1 Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has work to be done. He thinks, ‘I have work to do, but doing this work will make my body tired. Let me lie down instead.’ He then lies down, not arousing energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized. This, bhikkhus, is the first ground of laziness.
2 Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā kammaṁ kataṁ hoti. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘ahaṁ kho kammaṁ akāsiṁ. Kammaṁ kho pana me karontassa kāyo kilanto. Handāhaṁ nipajjāmī’ti. So nipajjati, na vīriyaṁ ārabhati appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāya. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyaṁ kusītavatthu.
2 Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has completed some work. He thinks, ‘I have done my work, but doing it has made my body tired. Let me lie down instead.’ He then lies down, not arousing energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized. This, bhikkhus, is the second ground of laziness.
3 Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā maggo gantabbo hoti. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘maggo me gantabbo bhavissati. Maggaṁ kho pana me gacchantassa kāyo kilamissati. Handāhaṁ nipajjāmī’ti. So nipajjati, na vīriyaṁ ārabhati appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāya. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyaṁ kusītavatthu.
3 Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has a path to travel. He thinks, ‘I have a path to travel, but traveling it will make my body tired. Let me lie down instead.’ He then lies down, not arousing energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized. This, bhikkhus, is the third ground of laziness.
4 Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā maggo gato hoti. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘ahaṁ kho maggaṁ agamāsiṁ. Maggaṁ kho pana me gacchantassa kāyo kilanto. Handāhaṁ nipajjāmī’ti. So nipajjati, na vīriyaṁ ārabhati appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāya. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, catutthaṁ kusītavatthu.
4 Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has traveled a path. He thinks, ‘I have traveled the path, but doing so has made my body tired. Let me lie down instead.’ He then lies down, not arousing energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized. This, bhikkhus, is the fourth ground of laziness.
5 Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā piṇḍāya caranto na labhati lūkhassa vā paṇītassa vā bhojanassa yāvadatthaṁ pāripūriṁ. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘ahaṁ kho gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā piṇḍāya caranto nālatthaṁ lūkhassa vā paṇītassa vā bhojanassa yāvadatthaṁ pāripūriṁ. Tassa me kāyo kilanto akammañño. Handāhaṁ nipajjāmī’ti. So nipajjati, na vīriyaṁ ārabhati appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāya. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, pañcamaṁ kusītavatthu.
5 Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, while going for alms in a village or town, does not obtain sufficient food, whether coarse or excellent. He thinks, ‘While going for alms in a village or town, I did not obtain sufficient food, whether coarse or excellent. My body is tired and unfit for work. Let me lie down instead.’ He then lies down, not arousing energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized. This, bhikkhus, is the fifth ground of laziness.
6 Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā piṇḍāya caranto labhati lūkhassa vā paṇītassa vā bhojanassa yāvadatthaṁ pāripūriṁ. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘ahaṁ kho gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā piṇḍāya caranto alatthaṁ lūkhassa vā paṇītassa vā bhojanassa yāvadatthaṁ pāripūriṁ. Tassa me kāyo garuko akammañño māsācitaṁ maññe. Handāhaṁ nipajjāmī’ti. So nipajjati, na vīriyaṁ ārabhati appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāya. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, chaṭṭhaṁ kusītavatthu.
6 Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, while going for alms in a village or town, obtains sufficient food, whether coarse or excellent. He thinks, ‘While going for alms in a village or town, I obtained sufficient food, whether coarse or excellent. My body feels heavy, unfit for work, and overstuffed. Let me lie down instead.’ He then lies down, not arousing energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized. This, bhikkhus, is the sixth ground of laziness.
7 Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno uppanno hoti appamattako ābādho. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘uppanno kho me ayaṁ appamattako ābādho atthi kappo nipajjituṁ. Handāhaṁ nipajjāmī’ti. So nipajjati, na vīriyaṁ ārabhati appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāya. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, sattamaṁ kusītavatthu.
7 Again, bhikkhus, a slight illness arises in a bhikkhu. He thinks, ‘This slight illness has arisen in me. It is suitable to lie down.’ He then lies down, not arousing energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized. This, bhikkhus, is the seventh ground of laziness.
8 Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu gilānā vuṭṭhito hoti aciravuṭṭhito gelaññā. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘ahaṁ kho gilānā vuṭṭhito aciravuṭṭhito gelaññā. Tassa me kāyo dubbalo akammañño. Handāhaṁ nipajjāmī’ti. So nipajjati, na vīriyaṁ ārabhati appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāya. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, aṭṭhamaṁ kusītavatthu. Imāni kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭha kusītavatthūni.
8 Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has recently recovered from an illness. He thinks, ‘I have recently recovered from my illness. My body is weak and unfit for work. Let me lie down instead.’ He then lies down, not arousing energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized. This, bhikkhus, is the eighth ground of laziness.
Grounds for Arousing Energy
Aṭṭhimāni, bhikkhave, ārambhavatthūni. Katamāni aṭṭha?
Bhikkhus, there are eight grounds for arousing energy. What are these eight?
1 Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā kammaṁ kattabbaṁ hoti. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘kammaṁ kho me kattabbaṁ bhavissati. Kammaṁ kho mayā karontena na sukaraṁ buddhānaṁ sāsanaṁ manasi kātuṁ. Handāhaṁ paṭikacceva vīriyaṁ ārabhāmi appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāyā’ti. So vīriyaṁ ārabhati appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāya. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamaṁ ārambhavatthu.
1 Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has work to be done. He thinks, ‘I have work to do. While doing this work, it is not easy to keep the teachings of the Buddhas in mind. Therefore, let me immediately arouse energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized.’ He then arouses energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized. This, bhikkhus, is the first ground for arousing energy.
2 Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā kammaṁ kataṁ hoti. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘ahaṁ kho kammaṁ akāsiṁ. Kammaṁ kho panāhaṁ karonto nāsakkhiṁ buddhānaṁ sāsanaṁ manasi kātuṁ. Handāhaṁ vīriyaṁ ārabhāmi appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāyā’ti. So vīriyaṁ ārabhati. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyaṁ ārambhavatthu.
2 Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has completed some work. He thinks, ‘I have done my work, but while doing it, I could not pay attention to the teachings of the Buddhas. Therefore, let me arouse energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized.’ He then arouses energy. This, bhikkhus, is the second ground for arousing energy.
3 Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā maggo gantabbo hoti. Tassa evaṁ hoti—maggo kho me gantabbo bhavissati. Maggaṁ kho pana me gacchantena na sukaraṁ buddhānaṁ sāsanaṁ manasi kātuṁ. Handāhaṁ vīriyaṁ ārabhāmi appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāyā’ti. So vīriyaṁ ārabhati. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyaṁ ārambhavatthu.
3 Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has a path to travel. He thinks, ‘I have a path to travel, but while traveling it, it is not easy to keep the teachings of the Buddhas in mind. Therefore, let me arouse energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized.’ He then arouses energy. This, bhikkhus, is the third ground for arousing energy.
4 Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā maggo gato hoti. Tassa evaṁ hoti—ahaṁ kho maggaṁ agamāsiṁ. Maggaṁ kho panāhaṁ gacchanto nāsakkhiṁ buddhānaṁ sāsanaṁ manasi kātuṁ. Handāhaṁ vīriyaṁ ārabhāmi ārabhāmi appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāyā’ti. So vīriyaṁ ārabhati. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, catutthaṁ ārambhavatthu.
4 Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has traveled a path. He thinks, ‘I have traveled the path, but while doing so, I could not keep the teachings of the Buddhas in mind. Therefore, let me arouse energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized.’ He then arouses energy. This, bhikkhus, is the fourth ground for arousing energy.
5 Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā piṇḍāya caranto na labhati lūkhassa vā paṇītassa vā bhojanassa yāvadatthaṁ pāripūriṁ. Tassa evaṁ hoti—ahaṁ kho gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā piṇḍāya caranto nālatthaṁ lūkhassa vā paṇītassa vā bhojanassa yāvadatthaṁ pāripūriṁ. Tassa me kāyo lahuko kammañño. Handāhaṁ vīriyaṁ ārabhāmi ārabhāmi appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāyā’ti. So vīriyaṁ ārabhati. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, pañcamaṁ ārambhavatthu.
5 Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, while going for alms in a village or town, does not obtain sufficient food, whether coarse or excellent. He thinks, ‘While going for alms in a village or town, I did not obtain sufficient food, whether coarse or excellent. My body is light and fit for work. Therefore, let me arouse energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized.’ He then arouses energy. This, bhikkhus, is the fifth ground for arousing energy.
6 Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā piṇḍāya caranto labhati lūkhassa vā paṇītassa vā bhojanassa yāvadatthaṁ pāripūriṁ. Tassa evaṁ hoti—ahaṁ kho gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā piṇḍāya caranto alatthaṁ lūkhassa vā paṇītassa vā bhojanassa yāvadatthaṁ pāripūriṁ. Tassa me kāyo balavā kammañño. Handāhaṁ vīriyaṁ ārabhāmi ārabhāmi appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāyā’ti. So vīriyaṁ ārabhati. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, chaṭṭhaṁ ārambhavatthu.
6 Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, while going for alms in a village or town, obtains sufficient food, whether coarse or excellent. He thinks, ‘While going for alms in a village or town, I obtained sufficient food, whether coarse or excellent. My body is strong and fit for work. Therefore, let me arouse energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized.’ He then arouses energy. This, bhikkhus, is the sixth ground for arousing energy.
7 Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno uppanno hoti appamattako ābādho. Tassa evaṁ hoti—uppanno kho me ayaṁ appamattako ābādho. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati yaṁ me ābādho pavaḍḍheyya. Handāhaṁ paṭikacceva vīriyaṁ ārabhāmi ārabhāmi appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāyā’ti. So vīriyaṁ ārabhati. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, sattamaṁ ārambhavatthu.
7 Again, bhikkhus, a slight illness arises in a bhikkhu. He thinks, ‘This slight illness has arisen in me. There is a possibility that it might worsen. Therefore, let me immediately arouse energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized.’ He then arouses energy. This, bhikkhus, is the seventh ground for arousing energy.
8 Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu gilānā vuṭṭhito hoti aciravuṭṭhito gelaññā. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘ahaṁ kho gilānā vuṭṭhito aciravuṭṭhito gelaññā. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati yaṁ me ābādho paccudāvatteyya. Handāhaṁ paṭikacceva vīriyaṁ ārabhāmi appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāyā’ti. So vīriyaṁ ārabhati appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāya. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, aṭṭhamaṁ ārambhavatthu.
8 Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has recently recovered from an illness. He thinks, ‘I have recently recovered from my illness. There is a possibility that it might relapse. Therefore, let me immediately arouse energy for the attainment of what has not yet been achieved, for realizing what has not yet been realized.’ He then arouses energy. This, bhikkhus, is the eighth ground for arousing energy.
Imāni kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭha ārambhavatthūnī”ti.
These, bhikkhus, are the eight grounds for arousing energy.