(i) BASED UPON SECLUSION VERSION

91 (1) Slanting to the East (1)

At Sāvatthi. “Bhikkhus, just as the river Ganges slants, slopes, and inclines towards the east, so too a Bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the Noble Eightfold Path slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.

“And how, Bhikkhus, does a Bhikkhu develop and cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path so that he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna? Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu develops right view, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release…. He develops right concentration, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release. It is in this way, Bhikkhus, that a Bhikkhu develops and cultivates the Noble Eightfold Path so that he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.”

92 (2)–96 (6) Slanting to the East (2–6)

“Bhikkhus, just as the river Yamunā … … the river AciravatI … the river Sarabhū … the river Mahī … whatever great rivers there are—that is, the Ganges, the Yamunā, the AciravatI, the Sarabhū, the Mahī—all slant, slope, and incline towards the east, so too a Bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the Noble Eightfold Path slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.”

(Complete as in §91.)

97 (7)–102 (12) The Ocean

“Bhikkhus, just as the river Ganges … … whatever great rivers there are … all slant, slope, and incline towards the ocean, so too a Bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the Noble Eightfold Path slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.”

(Complete as in §§91–96.)