AN 1.41
“Monks, suppose a grain of rice or barley was pointing the wrong way1. If you press it with a hand or a foot, there’s no way it could injure and produce blood. Why is that? Because the grain is pointing the wrong way. In the same way, a monk whose mind is pointing the wrong way cannot break ignorance, produce true knowledge, and realize Nibbana. Why is that? Because their mind is pointing the wrong way.”
AN 1.42
“Monks, suppose a grain of rice or barley was pointing the right way 2. If you press it with a hand or a foot, it may injure and produce blood. Why is that? Because the grain is pointing the right way. In the same way, a monk whose mind is pointing the right way can break ignorance, produce true knowledge, and realize Nibbana. Why is that? Because the mind is pointing the right way.”
AN 1.43
“Monks, when I’ve read the mind of a person whose mind is evil, I understand: ‘If this person were to die right now, he would be reborn in hell.’ Why is that? Because his mind is evil. Wickedness of the mind is the reason why some beings are reborn after death in a miserable, painful, lower world, such as hell.”
AN 1.44
“Monks, when I’ve read the mind of a person whose mind is pleasant, I understand: ‘If this person were to die right now, he would be reborn in heaven.’ Why is that? Because his mind is pleasant. Clarity of mind is the reason why some beings are reborn after death in a happy place such as a heavenly world.”
AN 1.45
“Monks, suppose there was a lake that was cloudy, murky, and muddy. A person with good eyesight standing on the bank would not see the shells, gravel and pebbles, and schools of fish swimming about or staying still. Why is that? Because the water is clouded. In the same way, a monk, whose mind is distracted, would not know what’s for his own good, the good of another, or the good of both and would not be able to attain any super human spiritual knowledge which is noble. This is not possible. Why is that? Because his mind is distracted.”
AN 1.46
“Monks, suppose there was a lake that was transparent, clear, and still. A person with good eyesight standing on the bank would see the shells, gravel and pebbles, and schools of fish swimming about or staying still. Why is that? Because the water is still. In the same way, that a monk, whose mind is not distracted would know what’s for his own good, the good of another, or the good of both and he would be able to realize any superhuman spiritual knowledge which is noble. This is possible. Why is that? Because his mind is not distracted.”
AN 1.47
“Just as, monks, papra, which is said to be the best kind of tree in terms of its flexibility and workability, so too, I do not see a single thing that’s as doable and workable as the mind, when it is developed and cultivated. A mind that is developed and cultivated is doable and workable.”
AN 1.48
“Monks, I do not see a single thing that’s as quick to change as the mind. So much so that it’s not easy to even give a simile for how quickly the mind changes.”
AN 1.49
“Monks, this mind is radiant but it’s defiled by invading negative thoughts.”
AN 1.50
“Monks, this mind is radiant and it is freed from invading negative thoughts.”
