Sangha and Noble Friendship

To follow up with our earlier conversation about Sangha, I've come across a great passage from the Samyutta-Nikaya. The Buddha is discussing the role of noble friendship and it's primary importance to overcoming hindrances as well as cultivating the other areas of the eightfold path.

Quote:

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The entire holy life, Ananda, is noble friendship, noble companionship, noble association. Of a monk, Ananda, who has a noble friend, a noble companion, a noble associate, it is to be expected that he will cultivate and practice the Noble Eightfold Path.

— SN 45:2

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