Iti 47

Itivuttaka: The Group of Twos

translated from the Pali by

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard: "A monk should be wakeful: mindful, alert, centered, sensitive, clear, & calm. And there he should, at the appropriate times, see clearly into skillful mental qualities. For a monk who is wakeful mindful, alert, centered, sensitive, clear, & calm, seeing clearly, at the appropriate times, into skillful mental qualities one of two fruits can be expected: either gnosis right in the present life, or if there be any remnant of clinging-sustenance non-return."

Those who are wakeful, listen! Those who are sleeping, wake up! Wakefulness is better than sleep. For those who are wakeful, there's no danger, no fear.

Whoever is wakeful, mindful, alert, centered, sensitive, calm, & clear, rightly exploring the Dhamma at appropriate times, will at oneness shatter the darkness.

So be devoted to wakefulness. The ardent monk masterful, acquiring jhana, cutting the fetter of birth & aging touches right here a self-awakening un-surpassed.