Linked Discourses 45.34

1. Practice

Going to the Far Shore

At Sāvatthī.

“Mendicants, when these eight things are developed and cultivated they lead to going from the near shore to the far shore.

What eight?

They are right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.

When these eight things are developed and cultivated they lead to going from the near shore to the far shore.”

That is what the Buddha said.

Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

“Few are those among humans

who cross to the far shore.

The rest just run

around on the near shore.

When the teaching is well explained,

those who practice accordingly

are the ones who will cross over

Death’s dominion so hard to pass.

Rid of dark qualities,

an astute person should develop the bright.

Leaving home behind

for the seclusion so hard to enjoy,

try to find satisfaction there,

having left behind sensual pleasures.

Owning nothing, an astute person

should cleanse themselves of mental corruptions.

And those whose minds are rightly developed

in the awakening factors;

letting go of attachments,

they delight in not grasping.

With defilements ended, brilliant,

they are quenched in this world.”