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273
The eight-fold path
is the most honourable way,
the four noble truths
the most honourable utterance,
freedom from craving
the most honourable state,
and the all-seeing Buddha
the most honourable being.
274
This is the only Way;
there is no other
that leads to clear seeing.
Follow this Way
and Mara becomes disoriented.
275
If you walk the path
you will arrive at the end of suffering.
Having beheld this myself,
I proclaim the Way
which removes all thorns.
276
The Awakened Ones
can but point the way;
we must make the effort ourselves.
Those who reflect wisely
and enter the path are freed
from the fetters of Mara.
277
“All conditioned things
are impermanent”;
when we see this with insight
we will tire of this life of suffering.
This is the Way to purification.
278
“All conditioned things
are inherently lacking”;
when we see this with insight
we will tire of this life of suffering.
This is the Way to purification.
279
“All realities are devoid
of an abiding self ”;
when we see this with insight
we will tire of this life of suffering.
This is the Way to purification.
280
If, while still young and strong,
you procrastinate
when you should act,
indulging in heedless fantasies,
the Way and its wisdom
will never become clear.
281
Be careful in what you say,
restrained in what you think,
and impeccable in how you act.
Purifying these three ways of behaviour
will take you along the Way of the sages.
282
To contemplate life leads to wisdom;
without contemplation wisdom wanes.
Recognise how wisdom
is cultivated and destroyed,
and walk the Way of increase.
283
Clear away the forests of craving
but do not attack and destroy the trees.
Clear the entire forest of craving
and you will see the Way to freedom.
284
So long as sexual attraction
has not been cleared away –
if the even the slightest trace remains,
the heart is held in dependence
like a suckling calf to a cow.
285
Remove the bonds of affection
as one might pluck an autumn flower.
Walk the Way that leads to liberation
explained by the Awakened One.
286
It is a fool
who indulges in dreaming
about the most comfortable
place to live, saying
“here it will be warm,
there it will be cool” –
unaware of impending death.
287
As a flood could sweep away
an entire village,
those who are caught up
in relationships and possessions
will be carried away by death.
288 - 289
As you approach death
none of your fond attachments
will protect you.
See this, then with wise restraint
and unwavering effort,
hasten to clear your path to liberation.
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© 2006 Aruna Publications |