Chapter Two

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

“Those sentient beings are truly bereft, mendicants, who are bereft of noble wisdom.

They live unhappily in this very life—with distress, anguish, and fever—

and when the body breaks up, after death, they can expect a bad rebirth.

Those sentient beings are not bereft who are not bereft of noble wisdom.

In this very life they’re happy—free of distress, anguish, and fever—

and when the body breaks up, after death, they can expect a good rebirth.”

The Buddha spoke this matter.

On this it is said:

“See the world with its gods,

bereft of wisdom,

habituated to name and form,

imagining this is truth.

Wisdom is best in the world,

as it leads to penetration,

through which one rightly understands

the ending of rebirth and continued existence.

Gods and humans envy them,

the Buddhas, ever mindful,

of laughing wisdom,

bearing their final body.”

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