The Perfection of Energy - The three occasions

When enlightenment is attained, this is the result of the development of right understanding. The development of the cause leading to such a result is difficult, but if right understanding has been sufficiently developed, it brings its result without difficulty. Without the right conditions the result cannot arise, no matter how much one tries to hasten its arising. We should continue to apply energy for the development of understanding and we should be truthful with regard to it: we should find out whether we know the characteristics of realities that are appearing right now or not yet. This kind of understanding is not intellectual understanding which stems from listening, but it is of the level of satipatthana. Satipatthana is developed when sampajanna (panna) arises together with sati and knows the characteristics of realities appearing at this moment as they are. Panna develops gradually so that one day the four noble Truths can be penetrated. When the time for enlightenment has come, this result is in accordance with the right cause, and it will arise without difficulty. However, we should have patience and energy to persevere with the development of  understanding.
We read in “Ardent Energy” (Gradual Sayings, Book of the Threes, Ch V, § 49) that the Buddha said: 

"Monks, on three occasions ardent energy is to be exerted.

What three?

 

To prevent the arising of evil, unprofitable states not yet arisen;

to cause the arising of good, profitable states not yet arisen;

to endure the bodily feelings that have arisen,

feelings which are painful, sharp, bitter, acute, distressing and unwelcome,

which drain the life away.

These are the three occasions...

 

Now, when a monk exerts himself on these three occasions,

he is called 

“strenuous, wise and mindful so that he makes an end of dukkha”.
Even a very short text can remind us of the effort that should be exerted on three occasions, so that patience and endurance can further develop.