This is the Nanamoli/Bhikkhu Bodhi translation of the paragraph above which is in MN101:Saengnapha wrote: ↑Wed Mar 14, 2018 7:35 amCan you give me an example of a fabrication against the cause of stress?paul wrote: ↑Wed Mar 14, 2018 7:17 am "In the same way, the monk, when not loaded down, does not load himself down with pain, nor does he reject pleasure that accords with the Dhamma, although he is not infatuated with that pleasure. He discerns that 'When I exert a [physical, verbal, or mental] fabrication against this cause of stress, then from the fabrication of exertion there is dispassion. When I look on with equanimity at that cause of stress, then from the development of equanimity there is dispassion.' So he exerts a fabrication against the cause of stress where there comes dispassion from the fabrication of exertion, and develops equanimity with regard to the cause of stress where there comes dispassion from the development of equanimity. Thus the stress coming from the cause of stress for which there is dispassion through the fabrication of exertion is exhausted & the stress resulting from the cause of stress for which there is dispassion through the development of equanimity is exhausted."
“23. “And how is exertion fruitful, bhikkhus, how is striving fruitful? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu who is not overwhelmed with suffering does not overwhelm himself with suffering; and he does not give up the pleasure that accords with Dhamma, yet he is not infatuated with that pleasure. He knows thus: ‘When I strive with determination, this particular source of suffering fades away in me because of that determined striving; and when I look on with equanimity, this particular source of suffering fades away in me while I develop equanimity. He strives with determination in regard to that particular source of suffering which fades away in him because of that determined striving; and he develops equanimity in regard to that particular source of suffering which fades away in him while he is developing equanimity. When he strives with determination, such and such a source of suffering fades away in him because of that determined striving; thus that suffering is exhausted in him. When he looks on with equanimity, such and such a source of suffering fades away in him while he develops equanimity; thus that suffering is exhausted in him.”
Excerpt From: Nanamoli, Bhikkhu. “The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha.”
To my way of looking at this, full attention/diligence=strive with determination. Striving for what? To recognize what is arising. Recognition is knowing what is arising. This knowing is simple awareness. This 'mindfulness' has power as long as it is sustained. It is dispassionate by nature. It leads one to balance which is samadhi.
Thanissaro's translation seems terribly convoluted to me and unnecessarily complex. A fabrication is to 'make up' something. It is an invention or lie. Where does this fit into the picture?