So It Was Said 34

The Book of the Twos

Chapter One

Keen

iti34:1 This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

iti34:2 “Mendicants, without being keen and prudent a mendicant can’t achieve awakening, extinguishment, and the supreme sanctuary from the yoke. But if a mendicant is keen and prudent they can achieve awakening, extinguishment, and the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.” The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

iti34:3 “Neither keen nor prudent, lazy, lacking energy, full of dullness and drowsiness, unconscientious, lacking regard for others, such a mendicant is incapable of experiencing the highest awakening.

iti34:4 One who is mindful, alert, meditative, keen, prudent, and diligent, having cut the fetter of birth and old age, would experience supreme awakening <j>in this very life.”

iti34:5 This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.