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Translated from the Pali by Acharya Buddharakkhita.
For free distribution only.
21.
Heedfulness is the path to the Deathless. Heedlessness is the path to death.
The heedful die not. The heedless are as if dead already. 3
22.
Clearly understanding this excellence of heedfulness, the wise exult therein
and enjoy the resort of the Noble Ones. 4
23.
The wise ones, ever meditative and steadfastly persevering, alone experience
Nibbana, the incomparable freedom from bondage.
24.
Ever grows the glory of him who is energetic, mindful and pure in conduct,
discerning and self-controlled, righteous and heedful.
25.
By effort and heedfulness, discipline and self-mastery, let the wise one make
for himself an island which no flood can overwhelm.
26.
The foolish and ignorant indulge in heedlessness, but the wise one keeps his
heedfulness as his best treasure.
27.
Do not give way to heedlessness. Do not indulge in sensual pleasures. Only the
heedful and meditative attain great happiness.
28.
Just as one upon the summit of a mountain beholds the groundlings, even so when
the wise man casts away heedlessness by heedfulness and ascends the high tower
of wisdom, this sorrowless sage beholds the sorrowing and foolish multitude.
29.
Heedful among the heedless, wide-awake among the sleepy, the wise man advances
like a swift horse leaving behind a weak jade.
30.
By Heedfulness did Indra become the overlord of the gods. Heedfulness is ever
praised, and heedlessness ever despised. 5
31.
The monk who delights in heedfulness and looks with fear at heedlessness
advances like fire, burning all fetters, small and large.
32.
The monk who delights in heedfulness and looks with fear at heedlessness will
not fall. He is close to Nibbana.
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