{"collection":"Buddhism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/bud/sam/sn3-4.htm","path":"bud/sam/sn3-4.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/bud/sam/sn3-4.htm","text":"\"That's the way it is, great king! That's the way it is! Those who engage in bodily misconduct, verbal misconduct, & mental misconduct are not dear to themselves. Even though they may say, 'We are dear to ourselves,' still they aren't dear to themselves. Why is that? Of their own accord, they act toward themselves as an enemy would act toward an enemy; thus they aren't dear to themselves. But those who engage in good bodily conduct, good verbal conduct, & good mental conduct are dear to themselves. Even though they may say, 'We aren't dear to ourselves,' still they are dear to themselves. Why is that? Of their own accord, they act toward themselves as a dear one would act toward a dear one; thus they are dear to themselves.\"\nThat is what the Blessed One said. Having said that, the One Well-Gone, the Teacher, said further:\nIf you hold yourself dear\nthen don't fetter yourself\nwith evil,\nfor happiness isn't easily gained\nby one who commits\na wrong-doing.\nWhen seized by the End-maker\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 as you abandon the human state,\nwhat's truly your own?\nWhat do you take along when you go?\nWhat follows behind you\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 like a shadow\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 that never leaves?\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Both the merit & evil\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 that you as a mortal\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 perform here:\nthat's\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 what's truly your own,\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 what you take along when you go;\nthat's\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 what follows behind you\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 like a shadow\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 that never leaves.\nSo do what is admirable,\nas an accumulation\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 for the future life.\nDeeds of merit are the support for beings\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 when they arise\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 in the other world.","title":"SN III.4: Piya Sutta","type":"page"}