AN 8.80

Kusītārambhavatthusutta

“Aṭṭhimāni, bhikkhave, kusītavatthūni. Katamāni aṭṭha? 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.

Grounds for Laziness and Arousing Energy

“Mendicants, there are eight grounds for laziness. What eight? Firstly, a mendicant has some work to do. They think: ‘I have some work to do. But while doing it my body will get tired. I’d better have a lie down.’ They lie down, and don’t rouse energy for attaining the unattained, achieving the unachieved, and realizing the unrealized. This is the first ground for laziness.

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.

Furthermore, a mendicant has done some work. They think: ‘I’ve done some work. But while working my body got tired. I’d better have a lie down.’ They lie down, and don’t rouse energy for attaining the unattained, achieving the unachieved, and realizing the unrealized. This is the second ground for laziness.

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.

Furthermore, a mendicant has to go on a journey. They think: ‘I have to go on a journey. But while walking my body will get tired. I’d better have a lie down.’ They lie down, and don’t rouse energy for attaining the unattained, achieving the unachieved, and realizing the unrealized. This is the third ground for laziness.

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.

Furthermore, a mendicant has gone on a journey. They think: ‘I’ve gone on a journey. But while walking my body got tired. I’d better have a lie down.’ They lie down, and don’t rouse energy for attaining the unattained, achieving the unachieved, and realizing the unrealized. This is the fourth ground for laziness.

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 …pe… idaṁ, bhikkhave, pañcamaṁ kusītavatthu.

Furthermore, a mendicant has wandered for alms, but they didn’t get to fill up on as much food as they like, coarse or fine. They think: ‘I’ve wandered for alms, but I didn’t get to fill up on as much food as I like, coarse or fine. My body is tired and unfit for work. I’d better have a lie down.’ They lie down, and don’t rouse energy for achieving the unachieved, attaining the unattained, and realizing the unrealized. This is the fifth ground for laziness.

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 …pe… idaṁ, bhikkhave, chaṭṭhaṁ kusītavatthu.

Furthermore, a mendicant has wandered for alms, and they got to fill up on as much food as they like, coarse or fine. They think: ‘I’ve wandered for alms, and I got to fill up on as much food as I like, coarse or fine. My body is heavy, unfit for work, like I’ve just eaten a load of beans. I’d better have a lie down.’ They lie down, and don’t rouse energy for achieving the unachieved, attaining the unattained, and realizing the unrealized. This is the sixth ground for laziness.

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 …pe… idaṁ, bhikkhave, sattamaṁ kusītavatthu.

Furthermore, a mendicant feels a little sick. They think: ‘I feel a little sick. Lying down would be good for me. I’d better have a lie down.’ They lie down, and don’t rouse energy for achieving the unachieved, attaining the unattained, and realizing the unrealized. This is the seventh ground for laziness.

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.

Furthermore, a mendicant has recently recovered from illness. They think: ‘I’ve recently recovered from illness. My body is weak and unfit for work. I’d better have a lie down.’ They lie down, and don’t rouse energy for attaining the unattained, achieving the unachieved, and realizing the unrealized. This is the eighth ground for laziness. These are the eight grounds for laziness.

Aṭṭhimāni, bhikkhave, ārambhavatthūni. Katamāni aṭṭha? 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.

There are eight grounds for arousing energy. What eight? Firstly, a mendicant has some work to do. They think: ‘I have some work to do. While working it’s not easy to focus on the instructions of the Buddhas. I’d better preemptively rouse up energy for attaining the unattained, achieving the unachieved, and realizing the unrealized.’ They rouse energy for attaining the unattained, achieving the unachieved, and realizing the unrealized. This is the first ground for arousing energy.

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.

Furthermore, a mendicant has done some work. They think: ‘I’ve done some work. While I was working I wasn’t able to focus on the instructions of the Buddhas. I’d better preemptively rouse up energy for attaining the unattained, achieving the unachieved, and realizing the unrealized.’ They rouse up energy … This is the second ground for arousing energy.

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 …pe… idaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyaṁ ārambhavatthu.

Furthermore, a mendicant has to go on a journey. They think: ‘I have to go on a journey. While walking it’s not easy to focus on the instructions of the Buddhas. I’d better preemptively rouse up energy …’ … This is the third ground for arousing energy.

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 …pe… idaṁ, bhikkhave, catutthaṁ ārambhavatthu.

Furthermore, a mendicant has gone on a journey. They think: ‘I’ve gone on a journey. While I was walking I wasn’t able to focus on the instructions of the Buddhas. I’d better preemptively rouse up energy …’ … This is the fourth ground for arousing energy.

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 …pe… idaṁ, bhikkhave, pañcamaṁ ārambhavatthu.

Furthermore, a mendicant has wandered for alms, but they didn’t get to fill up on as much food as they like, coarse or fine. They think: ‘I’ve wandered for alms, but I didn’t get to fill up on as much food as I like, rough or fine. My body is light and fit for work. I’d better preemptively rouse up energy …’ … This is the fifth ground for arousing energy.

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 …pe… idaṁ, bhikkhave, chaṭṭhaṁ ārambhavatthu.

Furthermore, a mendicant has wandered for alms, and they got to fill up on as much food as they like, coarse or fine. They think: ‘I’ve wandered for alms, and I got to fill up on as much food as I like, coarse or fine. My body is strong and fit for work. I’d better preemptively rouse up energy …’ … This is the sixth ground for arousing energy.

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 …pe… idaṁ, bhikkhave, sattamaṁ ārambhavatthu.

Furthermore, a mendicant feels a little sick. They think: ‘I feel a little sick. It’s possible this illness will worsen. I’d better preemptively rouse up energy …’ … This is the seventh ground for arousing energy.

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.

Furthermore, a mendicant has recently recovered from illness. They think: ‘I’ve recently recovered from illness. It’s possible the illness will come back. I’d better preemptively rouse up energy for attaining the unattained, achieving the unachieved, and realizing the unrealized.’ They rouse energy for attaining the unattained, achieving the unachieved, and realizing the unrealized. This is the eighth ground for arousing energy.

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭha ārambhavatthūnī”ti.

These are the eight grounds for arousing energy.”