1.
The Discourse on the Sal Tree
521.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Kosalans at Sālā, a brahmin village.
There the Blessed One addressed the monks thus:
"Just as, monks, whatever animals there are, the lion, the king of beasts, is declared the foremost among them, that is to say -
in strength, in speed, in valour;
so too, monks, whatever qualities conducive to enlightenment there are, the wisdom faculty is declared the foremost among them, that is to say -
for enlightenment."
"And what, monks, are the qualities conducive to enlightenment? The faith faculty, monks, is a quality conducive to enlightenment; it leads to enlightenment; the energy faculty is a quality conducive to enlightenment; it leads to enlightenment; the mindfulness faculty is a quality conducive to enlightenment; it leads to enlightenment; the concentration faculty is a quality conducive to enlightenment; it leads to enlightenment; the wisdom faculty is a quality conducive to enlightenment; it leads to enlightenment. Just as, monks, whatever animals there are, the lion, the king of beasts, is declared the foremost among them, that is to say - in strength, in speed, in valour; so too, monks, whatever qualities conducive to enlightenment there are, the wisdom faculty is declared the foremost among them, that is to say - for enlightenment." The first.