44. There are these five debasements of gold, because of which gold is not pliable, not workable or glistening, but is brittle and unfit for fine workmanship. What five? Iron, copper, tin, lead and silver. But when gold is free from these five debasements it becomes pliable, workable, glistening, and malleable and fit for fine workmanship. Then whatever sort of ornament one wants, a signet ring, ear-ring, necklace or a gold chain, it can be used for that.
In the same way, there are these five debasements of the mind because of which it is not pliable, workable, or glistening, but is brittle and not rightly composed for the destruction of the defilements. What five? Sense desire, ill-will, sloth and laziness, restlessness and worry, and doubt. But when the mind is free from these five debasements it is pliable, workable, glistening, not brittle but rightly composed for the destruction of the defilements. Then one can direct the mind to the realization by psychic knowledge of whatever can be realized by psychic knowledge and can see it directly, whatever its range might be.
A.III,16 (AN 5.23)
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