Thus this Noble Eightfold Path comes to fulfilment in him by development. When he develops this Noble Eightfold Path, the four foundations of mindfulness also come to fulfilment in him by development; the four right kinds of striving also come to fulfilment in him by development; the four bases for spiritual power also come to fulfilment in him by development; the five faculties also come to fulfilment in him by development; the five powers also come to fulfilment in him by development; the seven enlightenment factors also come to fulfilment in him by development. These two things—serenity and insight—occur in him yoked evenly together. He fully understands by direct knowledge those things that should be fully understood by direct knowledge. He abandons by direct knowledge those things that should be abandoned by direct knowledge. He develops by direct knowledge those things that should be developed by direct knowledge. He realises by direct knowledge those things that should be realised by direct knowledge. (MN 149)
Bhikkhus, suppose there is a guest house. People come from the east, west, north, and south and lodge there; khattiyas, brahmins, vessas, and suddas come and lodge there. So too, when a bhikkhu develops and cultivates the Noble Eightfold Path, he fully understands by direct knowledge those things that are to be fully understood by direct knowledge; he abandons by direct knowledge those things that are to be abandoned by direct knowledge; he realizes by direct knowledge those things that are to be realized by direct knowledge; he develops by direct knowledge those things that are to be developed by direct knowledge.
1. “And what, bhikkhus, are the things to be fully understood by direct knowledge?
It should be said: the five aggregates subject to clinging. What five? The form aggregate subject to clinging, the feeling aggregate subject to clinging, the perception aggregate subject to clinging, the volitional formations aggregate subject to clinging, the consciousness aggregate subject to clinging. These are the things to be fully understood by direct knowledge.
2. “And what, bhikkhus, are the things to be abandoned by direct knowledge?
Ignorance and craving for existence. These are the things to be abandoned by direct knowledge. (SN 45.159)
2.1 “I say, bhikkhus, that ignorance has a nutriment; it is not without nutriment. And what is the nutriment for ignorance?
It should be said: the five hindrances.
2.2 The five hindrances, too, I say, have a nutriment; they are not without nutriment. And what is the nutriment for the five hindrances?
It should be said: the three kinds of misconduct.
2.4 The three kinds of misconduct, too, I say, have a nutriment; they are not without nutriment. And what is the nutriment for the three kinds of misconduct?
It should be said: non-restraint of the sense faculties.
2.5 Non-restraint of the sense faculties, too, I say, has a nutriment; it is not without nutriment. And what is the nutriment for non-restraint of the sense faculties?
It should be said: lack of mindfulness and clear comprehension.
2.6 Lack of mindfulness and clear comprehension, too, I say, has a nutriment; it is not without nutriment. And what is the nutriment for lack of mindfulness and clear comprehension?
It should be said: careless attention.
2.7 Careless attention, too, I say, has a nutriment; it is not without nutriment. And what is the nutriment for careless attention?
It should be said: lack of faith.
2.8 Lack of faith, too, I say, has a nutriment; it is not without nutriment. And what is the nutriment for lack of faith?
It should be said: not hearing the good Dhamma.
2.9 Not hearing the good Dhamma, too, I say, has a nutriment; it is not without nutriment. And what is the nutriment for not hearing the good Dhamma?
It should be said: not associating with good persons. (AN 10.61)
3. “And what, bhikkhus, are the things to be realized by direct knowledge?
True knowledge and liberation. These are the things to be realized by direct knowledge.
4. “And what, bhikkhus, are the things to be developed by direct knowledge?
Serenity and insight. These are the things to be developed by direct knowledge. (SN 45.159)