Sixteenth Lecture: The Liberation

The creatures have only a temporary residence in this world; hearing this supreme truth, that is the doctrine of the Messenger, one should meditate upon it. The wise man should free himself from the family bonds; fearless should he give up wrong acts and attachments. (1)

A mendicant, living thus, self-controlled towards the eternal truth, the matchless sage, who collects his alms, is insulted with words by the people assailing him, like an elephant in battle with arrows. (2)

Despised by such-like people, the wise man, with undisturbed mind, sustains their words and blows, as a rock is not shaken by the wind. (3)

Disregarding all calamities he lives together with clever monks, insensible to pain and pleasure, not hurting the movable and immovable beings, not killing, bearing all: so is described the great sage, a good ascetic. (4)

As the lustre of a burning flame increases, so increase the austerity, wisdom, and glory of a steadfast sage who, with vanquished desires, meditates on the supreme place of virtue, though suffering pain. (5)

The great vows which are called the place of peace, the great teachers, and the producers of disinterestedness have, in all quarters of the earth, been proclaimed by the Messenger, the knowing one, as light, illumining the worlds, repels darkness. (6)

The unbound one, living amongst the bound, that is householders, should lead the life of a mendicant; unattached to women, he should speak with reverence. Not desiring this or the next world, the learned one is not measured by the qualities of love. (7)

The dirt of sins formerly committed by a thus liberated mendicant who walks in wisdom and restraint, who is constant, and bears pain, vanishes as the dirt covering silver is removed by fire. (8)

He lives, forsooth, in accordance with wisdom and restraint, and walks free from desire, and with conquered sensuality. As a snake casts off its old skin, so is the Brahmana freed from the bed of pain. (9)

As they call the great ocean a boundless flood of water, difficult to traverse with the arms alone, so should the learned one know and renounce the world: that sage is called "Maker of the end." (10)

Here amongst men bondage and deliverance have been declared; he who, according to that doctrine, knows bondage and deliverance: that sage is called "Maker of the end." (11)

He for whom there is no bondage whatever in this world, and besides in the other worlds, is indeed a monk needing no support and no standing place; he has come to the end of the path, and returns to his Lord. (12)

End of the Sixteenth Lecture, called the Liberation.

End of the Second Book.

End of the Acaranga Sutra.