thinking agency mastery wholesome unwholesome kusala akusala peg-simile simile snake-necklace-simile
In pursuit of the ‘higher mind’1, a bhikkhu should pay attention to five signs:
- a sign giving rise to unwholesome thoughts, in which case he should redirect his attention to wholesome thoughts ~ simile of the peg
- if unwholesome thoughts continue to arise, contemplate the ‘danger’2 ~ simile of the beautiful young person with a dead snake as a necklace
- if […] arise, try forgetting or ignoring the thoughts ~ as one closes their eyes against unpleasant sights
- if […] arise, try stilling the toughts ~ as a running man slows down to sit
- if […] arise, crush mind with mind ~ as a strong man pins down a weaker man
Bhikkhu Ñanamoli & Bhikkhu Bodhi translation:
This bhikkhu is then called a master of the courses of thought. He will think whatever thought he wishes to think and he will not think any thought that he does not wish to think.
And also,
He has severed craving, flung off the fetters, and with the complete penetration of conceit he has made an end of suffering.