7.
The Discourse on Brahmā Sahampati
527.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Uruvelā on the bank of the river Nerañjarā at the goatherd's banyan tree, newly fully enlightened.
Then, when the Blessed One had gone to a private place and was in seclusion, this reflection arose in his mind:
"The five faculties, when developed and cultivated, are grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as their final goal.
Which five?
The faith faculty, when developed and cultivated, is grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as its final goal.
The energy faculty, etc.
The mindfulness faculty, etc.
The concentration faculty, etc.
the wisdom faculty, when developed and cultivated, is grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as its final goal.
These five faculties, when developed and cultivated, are grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as their final goal."
Then Brahmā Sahampati, having known with his mind the reflection in the mind of the Blessed One - just as a strong man might extend his bent arm or bend his extended arm; even so, having vanished from the Brahma world, appeared before the Blessed One. Then Brahmā Sahampati, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, said this to the Blessed One - "So it is, Blessed One, so it is, Fortunate One! The five faculties, when developed and cultivated, are grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as their final goal. Which five? The faith faculty, when developed and cultivated, is grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as its final goal, etc. the wisdom faculty, when developed and cultivated, is grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as its final goal. These five faculties, when developed and cultivated, are grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as their final goal.
Once in the past, venerable sir, I lived the holy life under the Perfectly Enlightened One Kassapa. There too they knew me thus - 'The monk Sahaka, the monk Sahaka.' Because of having developed and cultivated these same five faculties, having removed sensual desire for sensual pleasures, upon the body's collapse at death, I was reborn in a fortunate realm, in the Brahma world. There too they knew me thus - 'Brahmā Sahampati, Brahmā Sahampati.'" "So it is, Blessed One, so it is, Fortunate One! I know this, I see this - how these five faculties, when developed and cultivated, are grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as their final goal." The seventh.