Samyutta Nikaya 292: Part 2

(2) Original Text: Furthermore, a bhikkhu, contemplating and observing the complete cessation of suffering, reaching the ultimate end of suffering, contemplates: 'What is the cause of that clinging? What is the origin? What is the source? What is the condition?' Contemplating, he understands that clinging arises because of craving; craving is the cause, the origin, the source, the condition. When craving arises, clinging arises; when craving contacts, clinging arises. When craving is completely extinguished without remainder, clinging ceases accordingly. He fully understands the path and the way leading to the cessation of that clinging. He cultivates the factors conducive to that end and the supporting factors. This is called the bhikkhu progressing towards the complete cessation of suffering, reaching the ultimate end of suffering, namely, the cessation of craving.

Explanation: Furthermore, when a bhikkhu wishes to contemplate and observe the complete cessation of suffering, reaching the ultimate end of suffering, if he contemplates what causes clinging to appear, what dharmas cause its arising, what dharmas generate and lead to the production of clinging, what dharmas contact and cause clinging to arise, he must contemplate that clinging arises because of craving; it is produced due to the causes and conditions arising from craving; when craving is born, clinging is born; when craving contacts, clinging is born; when craving ceases, clinging ceases accordingly. Bhikkhus should fully understand the path and the way leading to the cessation of clinging that they cultivate, and they must practice the dharmas leading to the cessation of suffering and the supporting dharmas that aid in ending suffering. This is the method by which bhikkhus gradually progress towards the complete cessation of suffering, enabling them to ultimately reach the end of suffering, which is the extinction of craving.

If sentient beings cease clinging, no longer grasping at dharmas, all suffering will cease. To understand precisely how to end suffering and what path must be cultivated in between, we must fully understand it as it is. To fully understand the practice method for ending suffering is to cultivate the factors conducive to the complete cessation of suffering and the supporting factors, which are the Thirty-seven Aids to Enlightenment, including the Four Right Efforts, the Four Bases of Spiritual Power, the Five Faculties, the Five Powers, the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, and the Noble Eightfold Path. 'Conducive factors' (向法) means the dharmas oriented towards the direction of ending suffering. 'Supporting factors' (次法) refers to the subsidiary, helpful dharmas. The primary dharma is the observation of the five aggregates to sever the view of self. The purpose of cultivating the conducive and supporting factors is to prepare for severing the view of self, fulfilling the prerequisite conditions for realizing the Path, so that one can contemplate and investigate according to principle, ultimately attaining the fruit of the Path by severing the view of self.