7.
The Second Discourse on Time
147.
"Monks, there are these four times which, when rightly developed and rightly pursued, gradually lead to the elimination of mental corruptions.
Which four?
Hearing the Teaching at the right time, discussion of the Teaching at the right time, exploration at the right time, insight at the right time -
these, monks, are the four times which, when rightly developed and rightly pursued, gradually lead to the elimination of mental corruptions.
"Just as, monks, when the sky rains with large drops on the upper mountain, that water flowing according to the slope fills the mountain grottoes, clefts, and channels; the mountain grottoes, clefts, and channels being full, fill the small pools; the small pools being full, fill the large pools; the large pools being full, fill the rivulets; the rivulets being full, fill the great rivers; the great rivers being full, fill the ocean. So too, monks, these four times, when rightly developed and rightly pursued, gradually lead to the elimination of mental corruptions." The seventh.