So It Was Said 62

The Book of the Threes

Chapter Two

Faculties

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“Mendicants, there are these three faculties.

What three?

The faculty of understanding that enlightenment is imminent. The faculty of enlightenment. The faculty of one who is enlightened.

These are the three faculties.”

The Buddha spoke this matter.

On this it is said:

“As a trainee trains,

following the straight road,

first they know about ending;

enlightenment follows without delay.

Then the knowledge comes

to such a one, freed through enlightenment,

with the end of the fetters of continued existence:

‘My freedom is unshakable.’

Accomplished in the faculties,

peaceful, in love with the state of peace,

they bear their final body,

having vanquished Māra with his legions.”

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.