71 (1)–82 (12) The River Ganges—Eastward, Etc.

“Bhikkhus, just as the river Ganges slants, slopes, and inclines towards the east, so too a Bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the five spiritual faculties slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.

“And how, Bhikkhus, does a Bhikkhu develop and cultivate the five spiritual faculties so that he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna? Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu develops the faculty of faith, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release. He develops the faculty of energy … the faculty of mindfulness … the faculty of concentration … the faculty of wisdom, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.

“It is in this way, Bhikkhus, that a Bhikkhu develops and cultivates the five spiritual faculties so that he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.”

(The remaining suttas of this vagga are to be similarly elaborated parallel to 45:92–102.)

Six about slanting to the east

And six about slanting to the ocean. These two sixes make up twelve: Thus the subchapter is recited.