sn.45.7 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

A Certain Bhikkhu (2)

“Venerable sir, it is said, ‘the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion.’ Of what now, venerable sir, is this the designation?”

“This, bhikkhu, is a designation for the element of Nibbāna: the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion. The destruction of the taints is spoken of in that way.”

When this was said, that bhikkhu said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, it is said, ‘the Deathless, the Deathless.’ What now, venerable sir, is the Deathless? What is the path leading to the Deathless?”

“The destruction of lust, the destruction of hatred, the destruction of delusion: this is called the Deathless. This Noble Eightfold Path is the path leading to the Deathless; that is, right view … right concentration.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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A Mendicant (2nd)

At Sāvatthī.
Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha … and said to him:
“Sir, they speak of ‘the removal of greed, hate, and delusion’.
What is this a term for?”

“Mendicant, the removal of greed, hate, and delusion is a term for the element of extinguishment.

It’s used to speak of the ending of defilements.”
When he said this, the mendicant said to the Buddha:
“Sir, they speak of ‘the deathless’.
What is the deathless? And what is the path that leads to the deathless?”
“The ending of greed, hate, and delusion.
This is called the deathless.
The path that leads to the deathless is simply this noble eightfold path, that is:
right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.”