Numbered Discourses 10.169

17. With Jānussoṇi

With Saṅgārava

Then Saṅgārava the brahmin went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha:

“Master Gotama, what is the near shore? And what is the far shore?”

“Killing living creatures is the near shore, brahmin, and not killing living creatures is the far shore. Stealing is the near shore, and not stealing is the far shore. Sexual misconduct is the near shore, and avoiding sexual misconduct is the far shore. Lying is the near shore, and not lying is the far shore. Divisive speech is the near shore, and avoiding divisive speech is the far shore. Harsh speech is the near shore, and avoiding harsh speech is the far shore. Talking nonsense is the near shore, and avoiding talking nonsense is the far shore. Covetousness is the near shore, and contentment is the far shore. Ill will is the near shore, and good will is the far shore. Wrong view is the near shore, and right view is the far shore. This is the near shore, and this is the far shore.

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.”