177

By what track can you trace that trackless Buddha of limitless range, whose victory nothing can undo, whom none of the vanquished defilements can ever pursue? By what track can you trace that trackless Buddha of limitless range, in whom exists no longer the entangling and embroiling craving that perpetuates becoming? Those wise ones who are devoted to meditation and who delight in the calm of renunciation--such mindful ones, Supreme Buddhas, even the gods hold dear.

178

Hard is it to be born a human, hard is the life of mortals. Hard is it to gain the opportunity to hear the Sublime Truth, and hard indeed, to encounter the arising of the Buddhas.

179

To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind this is the teaching of the Buddhas.

180

Enduring patience is the highest austerity.

181

"Nibbana is supreme," say the Buddhas.

182

One is not a true renunciate who harms another, nor a real renunciate who oppresses others.

183

Not despising, not harming, restraint according to the code of monastic discipline, moderation in food, dwelling in solitude, devotion to meditation this is the teaching of the Buddhas.

184

There is no satisfying sensual desires even with a rain of gold coins, for sense pleasures give little satisfaction and entail much pain.

185

Having understood this, the wise person finds no delight even in heavenly pleasures. The disciple of the Supreme Buddha delights in the destruction of craving.

186

People, driven by fear, go for refuge to many places--to hills, woods, groves, trees and shrines.

187

Such, indeed, is no safe refuge; such is not the refuge supreme. Not by resorting to such a refuge is one released from all suffering.

188

Those who have gone for refuge to the Buddha, his Teaching and his Order, penetrate with wisdom the Four Noble Truths--suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path leading to the cessation of suffering.

189

This indeed is the safe refuge, this is the refuge supreme. Having gone to such a refuge, one is released from all suffering.

190

Hard to find is the thoroughbred person (the Buddha). One is not born everywhere. Where such a wise person is born, that clan thrives happily.

191

Blessed is the birth of the Buddhas; blessed is the enunciation of the sacred Teaching; blessed is harmony in the Order; and blessed is the spiritual pursuit of the united truth-seekers.

192

They who revere those worthy of reverence, the Buddhas and their disciples, who have transcended all obstacles and passed beyond the reach of sorrow and lamentation--they who revere such peaceful and fearless ones, their merit none can compute by any measure.