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AN III Suttas 91-101 Loṇakapalla Vagga “The Section on the Salt Crystal” 91. Accāyika Sutta (Urgent Tasks) Bhikkhus, these are the three urgent tasks to be undertaken by a farmer. What three? Here, Bhikkhus, a farmer must first prepare the field by ploughing and harrowing it well. Then, he has to carefully plant the seeds at the right time. And later, at the right time, he has to lead the water into the field to irrigate it sufficiently, followed by draining the field by letting the water flow out, at the appropriate time. Bhikkhus, a farmer must do these three things with urgency. Bhikkhus, a farmer does not possess the kind of psychic ability, with which he could command by determining: ‘Today, the seeds which I planted will start to germinate, tomorrow they will start growing, and the day after tomorrow, they will be ready for harvest!’ Yet, it so happens that with the seasonal changes taking place, at the right time, the seedlings will indeed start to germinate, grow, and bear fruit. In the same manner, Bhikkhus, there are these three urgent tasks to be undertaken by the Bhikkhu. What three? The undertaking of his training in Higher Virtue; the undertaking of his training in the Higher Mind; and the undertaking of his training in Higher Wisdom. Therefore, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu must do these three things with urgency. Such a Bhikkhu may not possess the kind of psychic ability, with which he could command by determining: ‘Today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, my mind will be liberated from the contaminants by no longer gripping or grabbing onto anything!’ Yet, as this Bhikkhu trains himself while undertaking the training in Higher Virtue, in the Higher Mind, and in Higher Wisdom, then, at the right moment, his heart becomes suddenly liberated from the contaminants (āsavas) by no longer gripping or grabbing onto anything. Therefore, Bhikkhus, you should train yourselves thus: ‘We will be firm in our resolve to undertake the training in Higher Virtue, the training in the Higher Mind, and the training in Higher Wisdom.’ Therefore, Bhikkhus, it is in such a manner that you must train.