English
20. The Path 273. Among paths, the Eightfold is best, Among truths, the four statements; Among states, dispassion is best, Among two-footed beings, the one with vision. 274. This is the path, there is no other, For the purification of insight; Indeed, you should follow this, This leads to Māra's bewilderment. 275. Indeed, having followed this, You will make an end to suffering; The path has been declared by me to you, For knowing the removal of the dart. 276. By you must effort be made, Tathāgatas are only declarers; Those who practice will be freed, Meditators from Māra's bondage. 277. "All conditioned things are impermanent," When one sees with wisdom; Then one becomes disenchanted with suffering, This is the path to purification. 278. "All conditioned things are suffering," When one sees with wisdom; Then one becomes disenchanted with suffering, This is the path to purification. 279. "All phenomena are non-self," When one sees with wisdom; Then one becomes disenchanted with suffering, This is the path to purification. 280. Not rising when it is time to rise, Young, strong, yet overcome by laziness; With mind sunk in thoughts, indolent, The lazy one does not find the path to wisdom. 281. Guarding speech, well-restrained in mind, And by body doing no unwholesome deed; One should purify these three paths of action, And attain the path declared by the sages. 282. Indeed, from effort wisdom arises, From lack of effort, wisdom is lost; Knowing this twofold path, For growth and for decay; One should so place oneself, That wisdom may increase. 283. Cut down the forest, not just a tree, From the forest arises fear; Having cut down the forest and its undergrowth, Be free from the forest, O monks. 284. As long as the undergrowth (of desire), Even a little, for a man towards women, is not cut; So long is his mind bound, Like a calf to its mother for milk. 285. Uproot Without attachment to self, Like an autumn lotus [plucked] by hand; Cultivate only the path of peace, Nibbāna taught by the Fortunate One. 286. "Here I will dwell in the rains, Here in winter and summer;" Thus the fool thinks, He does not perceive the danger. 287. That man intoxicated with sons and cattle, Whose mind is entangled; Like a great flood [sweeping away] a sleeping village, Death carries him away. 288. Sons are no protection, Nor father, nor relatives; For one overcome by the Ender, There is no protection among kinsmen. 289. Knowing this state of affairs, The wise one, restrained by virtue; The path leading to Nibbāna, He should quickly purify. The Chapter on the Path, the twentieth, is finished.