So It Was Said 56

The Book of the Threes

Chapter One

Defilements (1st)

iti56:1 This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

iti56:2 “Mendicants, there are these three defilements. What three? The defilements of sensuality, desire for existence, and ignorance. These are the three defilements.” The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

iti56:3 “Stilled, aware, a mindful disciple of the Buddha understands defilements, the cause of defilements,

iti56:4 where they cease, and the path that leads to their ending. With the ending of defilements, a mendicant is hungerless, quenched.”

iti56:5 This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.