Greed (2nd) (ITI69)

So It Was Said 69

The Book of the Threes

Chapter Two

Greed (2nd)

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“Whoever has not given up greed, hate, and delusion

is said to have not crossed over the ocean with its waves and whirlpools, its saltwater crocodiles and monsters.

Whoever has given up greed, hate, and delusion

is said to have crossed over the ocean with its waves and whirlpools, its saltwater crocodiles and monsters. Crossed over and gone to the far shore, that brahmin stands on solid ground.”

The Buddha spoke this matter.

On this it is said:

“Those in whom greed, hate, and ignorance

have faded away,

have crossed the ocean so hard to cross,

with its saltwater crocodiles and monsters, its waves and dangers.

They’ve slipped their chains, given up death, and have no attachments.

They’ve given up suffering, so there are no more future lives.

They’ve disappeared and cannot be defined;

they’ve confounded the King of Death, I say.”

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.