2.24.2. Mindfulness

 

 2.24.2. Mindfulness

2.24.2.21. Mindfulness is the way to the Deathless (Nibb3na),'

unmindfulness is the "aylo Death. Those who ar~ mindful

do not die; those who are not mindful are as if already

dead.

2.24.2.22. Fully com:,rcho:lding this. the wise, who arc

mindful, rejoice in boing mindful and find delight in

the domain of the Noble Ones (ariyas).

2.24.2.23. The wise. icons~ant1y cuJtiv~ting Tranquillity and

Insight Devolop~nt Practice. being ever mindful and

steadfastly strivinll, realize Nibb4na: Nibb4na, which is

frcc from the bonds of yoga; Nibbiina, the Incomparable!

2.24.2.24. If a person is energetic, mindful, pure in his

thought, word and deed, and if he does everything

with care and consideration, restrains his sense!., earns

his living according to the Law (Dharr,ma), and, is not

unheedful, then, the fame and fortune cf that mindful

person steadily increase. .

2.24.2.25. Through diligence, mindfulr.e~s, di~cipline (with

regard to moral precepts) and control of his senses,

let the man of wisdom make (of himself) an island

wh:ch no flood can overwhelm.

2.24.2.26. The foolish and the ignorant give themselves

over to negligenc;:; whert:as the wise treasure mindfulness

as a precious jewel.

2.24.2.27. Therefore. one should not be negligent, nor be

addicted to sensual pleasurc~; for he wilD is established in

mindfulness. through cultiv.ltion of Tranquillity and·

Insight Develo.)ment Practice, experiences supreme

happi'less (i.e., realizes Nibba.na).

28. The wise one dispels 110g1ige:1cc by means of mindfulness;

he ascends the tower of wisdom an~ being free

from sorrow looks at the sorrowing bdngs. Just as one

on thr m',)Untain top looks at thos~ on the plain below.

so also. the wise one (the arah<.1t) looks at the foolish

. and the ignorant (worldlings).

29. Mindful amongst the n-:gligent. highly vigilant

amongst the drowsy, the man of wisdom advances like a

race-horse, leaving the jade behind.

30. Through mindfulness (in doing meritorious

deeds) Magha became king of the devas. Mindfulness is

always praised, but negligence is always blamed.

31. A bhikkhu who takes delight in mindfulness and

sees danger in negligence advances like fire. burning up

all fetters, great and small.

32. A bhikkhu who takes delight in mindfulness and

sees danger in negligence cannot fall away; he is. ind«.-ed.

very close to Nibbana.

End of Chnph:r Two: Mindfulness.