Yoked to Sensual Pleasures (ITI96)

So It Was Said 96

The Book of the Threes

Chapter Five

Yoked to Sensual Pleasures

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

“Mendicants, one yoked to both sensual pleasures and rebirth is a returner, who comes back to this place.

One unyoked from sensual pleasures but still yoked to rebirth is a non-returner, who comes not back to this place.

One unyoked from both sensual pleasures and rebirth is a perfected one, who has ended defilements.”

The Buddha spoke this matter.

On this it is said:

“Yoked to both sensual pleasures

and the desire to be reborn in a future life;

sentient beings continue to transmigrate,

with ongoing birth and death.

Those who’ve given up sensual pleasures

without attaining the end of defilements,

and are still yoked to being reborn,

are said to be non-returners.

Those who have cut off doubt,

and ended conceit and future lives,

they’re the ones in this world who’ve truly crossed over,

having reached the ending of defilements.”

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