The Related Suttas Collection 45.121

10. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Slanting to the Ocean

“Bhikkhus, the Ganges river slants, slopes, and inclines to the ocean. In the same way, a bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to Nibbana.

And how does a bhikkhu who develops the noble eightfold path slant, slope, and incline to Nibbana? It’s when a bhikkhu develops right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which culminate, finish, and end in the deathless. That’s how a bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path slants, slopes, and inclines to Nibbana.”