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Chapter Two -- Heedfulness
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Heedfulness is the path to the Deathless,
heedlessness is the path to death. The
heedful die not, the heedless are already dead.
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Clearly understanding this excellence of
heedfulness, the wise exult therein and enjoy
the resort of the Noble Ones.
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The wise ones, ever meditative and steadfastly
persevering, experience Nibbana, the incomparable
freedom from bondage.
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Ever grows the glory of one who is energetic,
mindful and pure in conduct, discerning and self-
controlled, righteous and heedful.
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By effort and heedfulness, discipline and
self-mastery, let the wise one make for oneself
an island which no flood can overwhelm.
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The foolish and ignorant indulge in heedlessness,
but the wise one keeps one's heedfulness
as one's best treasure.
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Do not give way to heedlessness; do not
indulge in sensual pleasures. Only the heedful
and meditative attain great happiness.
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Just as one upon the summit of a mountain
beholds the groundlings, even so when the wise
person casts away heedlessness by heedfulness and
ascends the high tower of wisdom, this sorrowless
sage beholds the sorrowing and foolish multitude.
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Heedful among the heedless, wide-awake
among the sleepy, the wise person advances like a
swift horse leaving behind a weak nag.
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By heedfulness did Indra become the overlord
of the gods. Heedfulness is ever praised,
and heedlessness ever despised.
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The renunciate who delights in heedfulness
and looks with fear at heedlessness advances
like fire, burning all fetters small and large.
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The renunciate who delights in heedfulness
and looks with fear at heedlessness will not fall.
That person is close to Nibbana.