The Related Suttas Collection 45.34

4. Practice

Going to the Far Shore

At Sāvatthī.

“Bhikkhus, when these eight things are developed and cultivated they lead to going from the near shore to the far shore. What eight? They are right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. When these eight things are developed and cultivated they lead to going from the near shore to the far shore.”

That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

“Few are those among humans who cross to the far shore. The rest just run around on the near shore.

When the teaching is well explained, those who practice accordingly are the ones who will cross over Death’s domain so hard to pass.

Rid of dark qualities, an astute person should develop the bright. Leaving home behind for the seclusion so hard to enjoy,

you should try to find delight there, having left behind sensual pleasures. With no possessions, an astute person should cleanse themselves of mental corruptions.

And those whose minds are rightly developed in the awakening factors; letting go of attachments, they delight in not grasping. With defilements ended, brilliant, they are extinguished in this world.”