Chapter One

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

“Mendicants, there are these three searches.

What three?

The search for sensual pleasures, the search for continued existence, and the search for a spiritual path.

These are the three searches.”

The Buddha spoke this matter.

On this it is said:

“The search for sensual pleasures, for a good rebirth,

and the search for a spiritual path;

the holding tight to the thought, ‘this is the truth’,

and the mass of grounds for views—

for one detached from all lusts,

freed by the ending of craving,

that searching has been relinquished,

and those grounds for views eradicated.

With the ending of searches, a mendicant

is free of hope and indecision.”

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