Linked Discourses 46.17

1. Sick

Going to the Far Shore

“Mendicants, when these seven awakening factors are developed and cultivated they lead to going from the near shore to the far shore.

What seven?

The awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity.

These seven awakening factors, when developed and cultivated, lead to going from the near shore to the far shore.

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.”