SAMYUTTA NIKAYA 50:1
THE FIVE STRENGTHS (BALA)
 

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"There are these five strengths. Which five?

 

• Saddha-bala (Conviction)

• Viriya-bala (Vital energy)

• Sati-bala (Reference)

• Samadhi-bala (Absorption)

• Panna-bala: (Discernment)

 

These are the five strengths.

 

Just as the River Ganges flows to the east, slopes to the east, inclines to the east, in the same way when a monk develops & pursues the five strengths,
he flows to Liberation, slopes to Liberation, inclines to Liberation.

 

And how is it that when a monk develops & pursues the five strengths, he flows... slopes... inclines to Liberation?

 

There is the case where the monk develops strength of conviction dependent on seclusion, dependent on dispassion, dependent on cessation, resulting in letting go.
He develops strength of persistence... mindfulness... concentration... discernment dependent on seclusion... dispassion... cessation, resulting in letting go.

 

This is how a monk, when developing & pursuing the five strengths, flows... slopes... inclines to Nibbana."

 

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