iti.63 Itivuttaka

Time

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, these are the three times. What three? Past time, future time, and present time. These, bhikkhus, are the three times.”

Perceiving what can be expressed through concepts,
Beings take their stand on what is expressed.
Not fully understanding the expressed,
They come under the bondage of Death.

But by fully understanding what is expressed
One does not misconceive the speaker.
His mind has attained to freedom,
The unsurpassed state of peace.

Understanding what is expressed,
The peaceful one delights in the peaceful state.
Standing on Dhamma, perfect in knowledge,
He freely makes use of concepts
But no more enters into concept’s range.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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Periods

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, there are these three periods.
What three?
Past, future, and present.
These are the three periods.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Sentient beings who perceive the communicable,
become established in the communicable.
Not understanding the communicable,
they fall under the yoke of Death.
But having fully understood the communicable,
they don’t identify as a communicator,
as they’ve touched liberation with their mind,
the supreme state of peace.
Accomplished in the communicable,
peaceful, in love with the state of peace;
making use after reflection, firm in principle,
a knowledge master cannot be reckoned.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.