SDC wrote
I get anxiety if I don’t include enough sutta references to solidify a position
Here is another one to solidify the position.
Not sure whether you noticed, there is a simile a bit like the cowherd simile found in MN 19 elsewhere. It is found in Vinopama sutta SN 35.246, not quite in the exact same context as two kinds of thoughts, but the soteriological intention is related.
https://suttacentral.net/sn35.246/en/bo ... ript=latin
In Vinopama sutta the simile is used in relation to guarded mind and unguarded mind. We may infer the unguarded mind gives rise to unwholesome thoughts and the guarded mind to wholesome thoughts.
Here is the portion of Vinopama sutta I am referring to.
“Suppose, bhikkhus, that the barley has ripened and the watchman is negligent. If a bull fond of barley enters the barley field, he might indulge himself as much as he likes. So too, bhikkhus, the uninstructed worldling who does not exercise restraint over the six bases for contact indulges himself as much as he likes in the five cords of sensual pleasure.
“Suppose, bhikkhus, that the barley has ripened and the watchman is vigilant. If a bull fond of barley enters the barley field, the watchman would catch hold of him firmly by the muzzle. While holding him firmly by the muzzle, he would get a secure grip on the locks between his horns and, keeping him in check there, would give him a sound beating with his staff. After giving him that beating, he would drive the bull away. This might happen a second time and a third time. Thus that bull fond of barley, whether he has gone to the village or the forest, whether he is accustomed to standing or to sitting, remembering the previous beating he got from the staff, would not enter that barley field again.
“So too, bhikkhus, when a bhikkhu’s mind has been subdued, well subdued, regarding the six bases for contact, it then becomes inwardly steady, settled, unified, and concentrated.
In this sutta guarding in relation to the 6 sense bases is emphasized.
Nice to find relationships of this sort in Majjima Nikaya and Samyutta Nikaya.
With love