72 (1) In Suffering

“Bhikkhus, possessing six things, a bhikkhu dwells in suffering in this very life — with distress, anguish, and fever — and with the breakup of the body, after death, a bad destination can be expected for him. What six? Sensual thought, the thought of ill will, the thought of harming, sensual perception, perception of ill will, and perception of harming. Possessing these six things, a bhikkhu dwells in suffering in this very life — with distress, anguish, and fever — and with the breakup of the body, after death, a bad destination can be expected for him.

“Bhikkhus, possessing six things, a bhikkhu dwells happily in this very life — without distress, anguish, and fever — and with the breakup of the body, after death, a good destination can be expected for him. What six? The thought of renunciation, the thought of good will, the thought of harmlessness, perception of renunciation, perception of good will, and perception of harmlessness. Possessing these six things, a bhikkhu dwells happily in this very life — without distress, anguish, and fever — and with the breakup of the body, after death, a good destination can be expected for him.”

73 (2) Arahantship

“Bhikkhus, without having abandoned six things, one is incapable of realizing arahantship. What six? Conceit, an inferiority complex, arrogance, self-overestimation, obstinacy, and self-abasement. Without having abandoned these six things, one is incapable of realizing arahantship.

“Bhikkhus, having abandoned six things, one is capable of realizing arahantship. What six? Conceit ... self-abasement. Having abandoned these six things, one is capable of realizing arahantship.”

77 (3) Superior

“Bhikkhus, without having abandoned six things, one is incapable of realizing any superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones. What six? Muddle-mindedness, lack of clear comprehension, not guarding the doors of the sense faculties, lack of moderation in eating, duplicity, and flattery. Without having abandoned these six things, one is incapable of realizing any superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones.

“Bhikkhus, having abandoned six things, one is capable of realizing a superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones. What six? Muddle-mindedness ... flattery. Having abandoned these six things, one is capable of realizing a superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones.”

78 (4) Happiness

“Bhikkhus, possessing six qualities, a bhikkhu abounds in happiness and joy in this very life, and he has laid the foundation for the destruction of the taints. What six? Here, a bhikkhu delights in the Dhamma, delights in [mental] development, delights in abandoning, delights in solitude, delights in non-affliction, and delights in non-proliferation. Possessing these six qualities, a bhikkhu abounds in happiness and joy in this very life, and he has laid the foundation for the destruction of the taints.”

79 (5) Achievement

“Possessing six qualities, a bhikkhu is incapable of achieving a wholesome quality that he has not yet achieved or of strengthening a wholesome quality that has already been achieved. What six? (1) Here, a bhikkhu is not skilled in gain, (2) not skilled in loss, (3) not skilled in means; (4) he does not generate desire for the achievement of wholesome qualities not yet achieved; (5) he does not guard wholesome qualities already achieved; (6) he does not fulfill his tasks through persistent effort. Possessing these six qualities, a bhikkhu is incapable of achieving a wholesome quality that he has not yet achieved or of strengthening a wholesome quality that has already been achieved.

“Possessing six qualities, a bhikkhu is capable of achieving a wholesome quality that he has not yet achieved and of strengthening a wholesome quality that has already been achieved. What six? (1) Here, a bhikkhu is skilled in gain, (2) skilled in loss, (3) skilled in means; (4) he generates desire for the achievement of wholesome qualities not yet achieved; (5) he guards wholesome qualities already achieved; (6) he fulfills his tasks through persistent effort. Possessing these six qualities, a bhikkhu is capable of achieving a wholesome quality that he has not yet achieved and of strengthening a wholesome quality that has already been achieved.”

80 (6) Greatness

“Bhikkhus, possessing six qualities, a bhikkhu in no long time attains to greatness and vastness in [wholesome] qualities. What six? Here, a bhikkhu abounds in light, abounds in effort, abounds in inspiration; he does not become complacent; he does not neglect his duty in regard to wholesome qualities; and he extends himself further. Possessing these six qualities, a bhikkhu in no long time attains to greatness and vastness in [wholesome] qualities.”

81 (7) Hell (1)

“Bhikkhus, possessing six qualities, one is deposited in hell as if brought there. What six? One destroys life, takes what is not given, engages in sexual misconduct, speaks falsely, has evil desires, and holds wrong view. Possessing these six qualities, one is deposited in hell as if brought there.

“Bhikkhus, possessing six qualities, one is deposited in heaven as if brought there. What six? One abstains from the destruction of life, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from sexual misconduct, abstains from false speech; one has few desires, and one holds right view. Possessing these six qualities, one is deposited in heaven as if brought there.”

82 (8) Hell (2)

“Bhikkhus, possessing six qualities, one is deposited in hell as if brought there. What six? One destroys life, takes what is not given, engages in sexual misconduct, and speaks falsely; one is greedy and impudent. Possessing these six qualities, one is deposited in hell as if brought there.

“Bhikkhus, possessing six qualities, one is deposited in heaven as if brought there. What six? One abstains from the destruction of life, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from sexual misconduct, abstains from false speech; one is without greed and without impudence. Possessing these six qualities, one is deposited in heaven as if brought there.”

83 (9) The Foremost State

“Bhikkhus, possessing six qualities a bhikkhu is incapable of realizing arahantship, the foremost state. What six? Here, a bhikkhu is without faith, morally shameless, morally reckless, lazy, unwise, and concerned about his body and life. Possessing these six qualities, a bhikkhu is incapable of realizing arahantship, the foremost state.

“Bhikkhus, possessing six qualities a bhikkhu is capable of realizing arahantship, the foremost state. What six? Here, a bhikkhu has faith, a sense of moral shame, and moral dread; he is energetic and wise; and he is unconcerned about his body and life. Possessing these six qualities, a bhikkhu is capable of realizing arahantship, the foremost state.”

84 (10) Nights

“Bhikkhus, when a bhikkhu possesses six qualities, whether night or day comes, only deterioration in wholesome qualities, not growth, can be expected for him. What six? Here, (1) a bhikkhu has strong desires, feels distress, and is discontent with any kind of robe, almsfood, lodging, and medicines and provisions for the sick; he is (2) without faith, (3) immoral, (4) lazy, (5) muddle-minded, and (6) unwise. When a bhikkhu possesses these six qualities, whether night or day comes, only deterioration in wholesome qualities, not growth, is to be expected for him.

“Bhikkhus, when a bhikkhu possesses six qualities, whether night or day comes, only growth in wholesome qualities, not deterioration, is to be expected for him. Here, (1) a bhikkhu does not have strong desires, does not feel distress, and is content with any kind of robe, almsfood, lodging, and medicines and provisions for the sick; he is (2) endowed with faith, (3) virtuous, (4) energetic, (5) mindful, and (6) wise. When a bhikkhu possesses these six qualities, whether night or day comes, only growth in wholesome qualities, not deterioration, is to be expected for him.”