Chapter One

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

“Mendicants, there are these three cravings.

What three?

Craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, and craving for nonexistence.

These are the three cravings.”

The Buddha spoke this matter.

On this it is said:

“Bound by craving, minds full of desire

for rebirth in this or that state,

yoked by Māra’s yoke, these people

find no sanctuary from the yoke.

Sentient beings continue to transmigrate,

with ongoing birth and death.

Those who have given up craving,

rid of craving for rebirth in this or that state,

they in this world have truly crossed over,

having reached the ending of defilements.”

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