8 Nutriments for Ignorance

Last updated Feb 11, 2023 Edit Source

Monks, and ignorance too, I declare, is a specific condition. And due to its nutriment, it manifests. I declare:

1. Ignorance has its nutriment: the five hindrances.
2. The five hindrances have their nutriment: the three ways of wrong conduct. 3
3. . The three ways of wrong conduct have their nutriment: lack of sense restraint.
4. Lack of sense restraint has its nutriment: lack of mindfulness and clear comprehension.
5. Lack of mindfulness and clear comprehension has its nutriment: improper attention.
6. Improper attention has its nutriment: lack of faith.
7. Lack of faith has its nutriment: not listening to the true teachings.
8. Not listening to the true teachings has its nutriment: not associating with superior people.

When non-association with superior people prevails, not listening to the true teachings will prevail. When not listening to the true teachings prevails, it will make a lack of faith prevail…. When the five hindrances prevail, they will make ignorance prevail. In this way, ignorance has its nutriment and becomes complete. A. V. 113-14.