This episode is the 19th sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Dvedhāvitakkasutta which translates as “two types of thought”. In this teaching the Lord Buddha recollects how he was practicing in the lead up to his Awakening. This teaching recounts how he divided his thoughts into two classes: reflecting upon how sensual, malicious and cruel thoughts lead to suffering, and thoughts of renunciation, good will and harmlessness leads away from suffering. This is a practical teaching which can help meditators to distinguish between harmful and harmless mental states in order to renounce and let go of harmful mind-states, and to cultivate harmless, beneficial mind-states.
This translation of the Dvedhāvitakkasutta Sutta is by Bhikkhu Sujato and was sourced from Sutta Central.
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