The Benefits of Training

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard. “Mendicants, live with training as benefit, with wisdom as overseer, with freedom as core, and with mindfulness as ruler. A mendicant who lives in this way can expect one of two results: enlightenment in this very life, or if there’s residue left behind, non-return.” The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said: “The training fulfilled, not liable to decline, overseen by wisdom, seer of rebirth’s end; that sage bears their final body; they have disposed of Māra, I declare, <j>and gone beyond old age. Therefore be always enjoying absorption, <j>immersed in samādhi, energetic, seers of rebirth’s end. Having overcome Māra and his armies, mendicants, go beyond birth and death.” This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.