iti.102 Itivuttaka

The Destruction of the Taints

This was said by the Lord…

“For one knowing and seeing, bhikkhus, I say there is the destruction of the taints, not for one not knowing and not seeing. But for one knowing what, seeing what, is there the destruction of the taints? For one knowing and seeing, ‘This is suffering,’ there is the destruction of the taints. For one knowing and seeing, ‘This is the origin of suffering’ … ‘This is the cessation of suffering’ … ‘This is the course leading to the cessation of suffering,’ there is the destruction of the taints. Thus it is, bhikkhus, that for one knowing and seeing there is the destruction of the taints.”

For a learner who is training
In conformity with the direct path,
The knowledge of destruction arises first,
And final knowledge immediately follows.

To one freed by that final knowledge,
The topmost knowledge of freedom,
There arises the knowledge of destruction:
“Thus the fetters are destroyed.”

Certainly not by the lazy person
Nor by the uncomprehending fool
Is Nibbāna to be attained,
The loosening of all worldly ties.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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The Ending of Defilements

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, I say that the ending of defilements is for one who knows and sees, not for one who does not know or see.
For one who knows and sees what?
The ending of defilements is for one who knows and sees suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path.
The ending of the defilements is for one who knows and sees this.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“As a trainee trains,
following the straight road,
first they know about ending;
enlightenment follows in the same lifetime.
Then to one freed through enlightenment
the knowledge of ending arises,
the supreme knowledge of freedom,
with the ending of the fetters.
This is not for the lazy,
the fools don’t understand,
extinguishment is realized
with release from all ties.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.