5-45 9-12 Gaṅgāpeyyālo | Samyutta

IX. 1^st Ganges Repetition Series

(i) Based Upon Seclusion Version

91 (1) Slanting to the East (1)

At Sāvatthī.

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 Yamuna …

… the river Aciravatī … the river Sarabhū … the river Mahī …

whatever great rivers there are - that is, the Ganges, the Yamuna, the Aciravatī, 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.)

X. 2^nd Ganges Repetition Series

(ii) Removal of Lust Version

103 (1)–108 (6) Slanting to the East

109 (7)–114 (12) The Ocean

(In this version §§103–108 are identical with §§91–96, and §§109–114 with §§97–102, except for the following change:)

Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu develops and cultivates right view … right concentration,

which has as its final goal

the removal of lust,
the removal of hatred,
the removal of delusion.

XI. 3^rd Ganges Repetition Series

(iii) The Deathless as Its Ground Version

115 (1)–120 (6) Slanting to the East

121 (7)–126 (12) The Ocean

(In this version §§115–120 are identical with §§91–96, and §§121–126 with §§97–102, except for the following change:)

Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu develops and cultivates right view … right concentration,

which has the Deathless as its ground,
the Deathless as its destination,
the Deathless as its final goal.

XII. 4^th Ganges Repetition Series

(iv) Slants towards Nibbāna Version

127 (1)–132 (6) Slanting to the East

133 (7)–138 (12) The Ocean

(In this version §§127–132 are identical with §§91–96, and §§133–138 with §§97–102, except for the following change:)

Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu develops and cultivates right view … right concentration,

- which slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.