iti.87 Itivuttaka

Producing Blindness

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, these three kinds of unwholesome thoughts produce blindness, lack of vision, and absence of knowledge; they obstruct wisdom, lead to vexation, and are not conducive to Nibbāna. What are the three? A sensual thought, a thought of ill will, and an aggressive thought. These, bhikkhus, are the three kinds of unwholesome thoughts that produce blindness … and are not conducive to Nibbāna.

“Bhikkhus, these three kinds of wholesome thoughts remove blindness and produce vision, knowledge, and the growth of wisdom; they do not lead to vexation and are conducive to Nibbāna. What are the three? A thought of renunciation, a thought of friendliness, and a thought of harmlessness. These, bhikkhus, are the three kinds of wholesome thoughts that remove blindness … and are conducive to Nibbāna.”

Three wholesome thoughts should be entertained,
Three unwholesome thoughts rejected.
One who stops such trains of thought
As a shower settles a cloud of dust,
With a mind that has quelled such thoughts
Attains in this life the state of peace.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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Destroyers of Sight

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, these three unskillful thoughts are destroyers of sight, vision, and knowledge. They block wisdom, they’re on the side of anguish, and they don’t lead to extinguishment.
What three?
Thoughts of sensuality,
malice,
and cruelty.
These are the three unskillful thoughts that are destroyers of sight, vision, and knowledge. They block wisdom, they’re on the side of anguish, and they don’t lead to extinguishment.
These three skillful thoughts are creators of sight, vision, and knowledge. They grow wisdom, they’re on the side of solace, and they lead to extinguishment.
What three?
Thoughts of renunciation,
good will,
and harmlessness.
These are the three skillful thoughts that are creators of sight, vision, and knowledge. They grow wisdom, they’re on the side of solace, and they lead to extinguishment.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Think the three skillful thoughts,
and get rid of the unskillful.
Quelling such thoughts and considerations,
like rain on the dust,
with a heart calmed of thought,
you’ll touch the state of peace right here.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.