iti.34 Itivuttaka

Ardour

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu who is without ardour and without fear of wrongdoing is incapable of attaining enlightenment, incapable of attaining Nibbāna, incapable of attaining the supreme security from bondage. But a bhikkhu who has ardour and fear of wrongdoing is capable of doing so.”

One who is not ardent, reckless,
Lazy, and of little vigour,
Full of lethargy and torpor,
Shameless and without respect—
Such a bhikkhu cannot attain
Enlightenment which is supreme.

But a mindful and discerning meditator,
Ardent, scrupulous, and diligent,
Having severed the fetters of birth and decay,
Can attain for himself right here and now
Enlightenment which is supreme.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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Keen

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, without being keen and prudent a mendicant can’t achieve awakening, extinguishment, and the supreme sanctuary.
But if a mendicant is keen and prudent they can achieve awakening, extinguishment, and the supreme sanctuary.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Neither keen nor prudent,
lazy, lacking energy,
full of dullness and drowsiness,
unconscientious, lacking regard for others,
such a mendicant is incapable
of touching the highest awakening.
One who is mindful, alert, meditative,
keen, prudent, and diligent,
having cut the fetter of birth and old age,
would realize supreme awakening in this very life.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.