Ajita's questions (from the Pārāyaṇa)

Śag_39.1

[Ajita's question in the {{Pārāyaṇa:Way to the Far Shore|the closing section of the Sutta Nipāta}}:] By what is this world veiled? By what does it not shine forth? What do you call its besmearing, and what is its great fear?

Śag_39.2

By ignorance the world is veiled; through heedlessness it does not shine forth. Idle talk I call its besmearing; suffering is its great fear.

Śag_39.3

The streams flow on every side; what is the barrier to the streams? Tell of the restraint of the streams—by what is the stream dammed up?

Śag_39.4

Whatever streams there are in the world, mindfulness is their barrier; I declare the restraint of the streams—by wisdom indeed is it dammed up.

Śag_39.5

Of wisdom and of mindfulness, and of {{nāmarūpa:name-and-form|the psycho-physical complex}} altogether—tell me this, since I ask: where does this cease?

Śag_39.6

Wisdom and mindfulness, and name-and-form altogether—through the cessation of consciousness, here it is that this ceases.

Śag_39.7

For the mindful one as he goes about, how does consciousness cease? Tell me this, since I ask, exactly as it is, beyond doubt.

Śag_39.8

For one who does not take delight in feeling, whether inward or outward—thus, for the mindful one as he goes about, consciousness ceases.

Śag_39.9

Those who have fully reckoned the dharmas [the adepts beyond training], and those various ones who are still trainees—of their conduct, [tell] me, the prudent one; being asked, declare it, good sir.

Śag_39.10

Let him not be greedy amid sensual pleasures; let him be undisturbed in mind; skilful in all dharmas, mindful, let the monk wander forth.