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Four Right Efforts

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Four Right Efforts

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aizen.rywong
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Four Right Efforts

Insight Meditation South Bay


www.imsb.org

Four Right Efforts (sammāppadhāna)


Key Ideas:
• The Four Right Efforts (also translated as “right endeavors” or “right strivings”) provide specific
instruction on how to apply the mind toward liberation.
• For each of the four right efforts, one generates the desire by making an effort, arousing energy,
applying the mind and striving. These exertions set and support one's intention toward a
wholesome state of mind. When the application of our intention is strong and skillful, wholesome
mind states arise and continue easily, and unwholesome states weaken and fall away. But
when the intention is weak, wholesome mind states are feeble or never develop, and
unwholesome states can obsess the mind.
• These four specific endeavors delineate the detailed understanding of the factor of Right Effort,
the sixth factor of the Noble Eight Fold Path. Similarly, the same formula is also used to explain
the faculty of strength (viriyindriya).
• Canonical References: Samyutta Nikāya 45:8 V8-10; Anguttara Nikāya II 74.

The Four Right Efforts Primary Function Explanation

Restraint (saṁvara) Generating the desire for the non- Avoiding and preventing the
arising of unwholesome states. arising of unwholesome states
and unskillful thoughts which
have not yet arisen.

Abandoning (pahāna) Generating the desire for Abandoning unwholesome states


abandoning arisen unwholesome and unskillful thoughts which
states. have already arisen.

Developing (bhāvanā) Generating the desire for the Cultivating, developing and
arising of wholesome states. bringing forth wholesome states
and skillful thoughts which have
not yet arisen.

Protecting (anurakkhanā) Generating the desire for Maintaining and sustaining


continuing arisen wholesome wholesome states and skillful
states. thoughts which have already
arisen.

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