Chapter One

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

“Mendicants, there are these three defilements.

What three?

The defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.

These are the three defilements.”

The Buddha spoke this matter.

On this it is said:

“Stilled, aware,

a mindful disciple of the Buddha

understands defilements,

the cause of defilements,

where they cease,

and the path that leads to their ending.

With the ending of defilements, a mendicant

is hungerless, quenched.”

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