Three Urgent Tasks

Monks, there are these three urgent tasks of a farmer.

What three?

First, the farmer swiftly yet thoroughly plows the field and swiftly yet thoroughly harrows it. Next, he swiftly sows seeds. And then he swiftly irrigates and drains the field. These are the three urgent tasks of a farmer.

This farmer has no psychic potency or spiritual might [by which he could command]: Let my crops start growing today! Let them mature tomorrow! Let them bear grain the day after tomorrow! But, with the change of seasons, there comes a time when the crops grow, mature, and bear grain.

So too, Monks, there are these three urgent tasks of a Monk.

What three?

The undertaking of the training in the higher virtuous behavior (moral conduct), the undertaking of the training in the higher mind (mental discipline), and the undertaking of the training in the higher wisdom. These are the three urgent tasks of a Monk.

This Monk has no psychic potency or spiritual might [by which he could command]: Let my mind be liberated from the taints by non-clinging today, or tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow! Rather, as this Monk trains in the higher virtuous behavior (moral conduct), the higher mind (mental discipline), and the higher wisdom, there comes an occasion when his mind is liberated from the taints by non-clinging.

(Reference: AN 3.92)

During Gotama Buddha’s lifetime, many of his Students were very familiar with farming so we see many analogies he shares in The Teachings that can relate to a common person during that time in history. Not only does he use stories from the farming life but also training a horse and various stories related to animal life.

These are relatable references that his Students would easily understand and help them in learning and retaining The Teachings, so they could apply The Teachings in their daily life.

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares the development of the mind related to the development of crops on a farm. A farmer would plow the field creating trenches or “harrows” that would receive the seeds. Next, the farmer would “sow seeds” or plant the seeds. Lastly, a farmer would “irrigate” or water the field helping the crop to grow.

The Eight Fold Path, which is The Path to Enlightenment, is categorized into three (3) unique sections. While there are eight (8) individual steps to learn, reflect, practice and master to attain Enlightenment, these can be categorized into three (3) distinct sections.

The Eight Fold Path

Gotama Buddha refers to these three (3) categories of wisdom, moral conduct, and mental discipline as the “three urgent tasks”. “Training in the higher virtuous behavior (moral conduct), the undertaking of the training in the higher mind (mental discipline), and the undertaking of the training in the higher wisdom” is The Buddha referencing The Eight Fold Path.

Just like a farmer will develop and cultivate their fields, a Practitioner of these Teachings will need to develop and cultivate the mind in these three categories of The Eight Fold Path - The Buddha’s core and central Teaching.

He explains just like a farmer cannot instantly grow a crop to bring results “today, or tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow”, a Practitioner will need to dedicate time, effort, energy, and resources to gradual training, gradual practice, and gradual progress.

While the translation of this Teaching uses the word “urgent” there is no such thing as “hurry up and get to Enlightenment”. It is not running The Path with The Buddha nor crawling The Path with The Buddha, but instead, walking The Path with The Buddha.

A sluggish approach to learning, reflecting, and practicing these Teachings would not produce the results of an Enlightened mind. But also, approaching and pursuing The Path to Enlightenment with craving/desire/attachment with the expectation or wanting immediate results would cause the mind to be discontent.

So, the solution is to train the mind towards Enlightenment by practicing “the middle way” where there is no sluggish complacency and no longing with a strong eagerness but instead motivation, determination, diligence, and enthusiasm with Enlightenment as a goal, interest or objective. Progressing in this way will produce results.