1.
The First Discourse on the Wholesome
212.
"Whatever mental states, monks, are wholesome, connected with the wholesome, on the side of the wholesome, all of them are rooted in diligence, converge in diligence;
diligence is declared the foremost among those mental states.
For a diligent monk, monks, this is to be expected -
he will develop the seven factors of enlightenment, he will cultivate the seven factors of enlightenment.
"And how, monks, does a diligent monk develop the seven factors of enlightenment, cultivate the seven factors of enlightenment? Here, monks, a monk develops the enlightenment factor of mindfulness, based upon seclusion, etc. He develops the enlightenment factor of equanimity, based upon seclusion, based upon dispassion, based upon cessation, maturing in release. Thus, monks, a diligent monk develops the seven factors of enlightenment, cultivates the seven factors of enlightenment." The first.