16. The Learner

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, in regard to internal factors, I do not perceive another single factor so helpful as wise attention for a bhikkhu who is a learner, who has not attained perfection but lives aspiring for the supreme security from bondage. Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu who wisely attends abandons what is unwholesome and develops what is wholesome.”

For a bhikkhu who is a learner
There is no other thing so helpful
For reaching the highest goal
As the factor wise attention.
Wisely striving a bhikkhu may attain
The destruction of all suffering.

Translated from the Pali by John D. Ireland.

Digital Transcription Source: BPS Transcription Project

Extracted from The Udāna & the Itivuttaka, translated and introduced by John D. Ireland. Published in 1997.

The complete book, including introduction and notes by the translator, is available from the Buddhist Publication Society.

ISBN 955-24-0164-X

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