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Giving himself to things to be shunned
and not exerting where exertion is needed,
a seeker after pleasures,
having given up his true welfare,
envies those intent upon theirs.
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Seek no intimacy with the beloved
and also not with the unloved,
for not to see the beloved
and to see the unloved,
both are painful.
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Therefore hold nothing dear,
for separation from the dear is painful.
There are no bonds
for those who have nothing beloved or unloved.
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From endearment springs grief,
from endearment springs fear.
From him who is wholly free from endearment
there is no grief, whence then fear?
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From affection springs grief,
from affection springs fear.
From him who is wholly free from affection
there is no grief, whence then fear?
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From attachment springs grief,
from attachment springs fear.
From him who is wholly free from attachment
there is no grief, whence then fear?
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From lust springs grief,
from lust springs fear.
From him who is wholly free from craving
there is no grief; whence then fear?
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From craving springs grief,
from craving springs fear.
From him who is wholly free from craving
there is no grief; whence then fear?
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People hold dear him
who embodies virtue and insight,
who is principled,
has realized the truth,
and who himself does what he ought to be doing.
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One who is intent upon the Ineffable (Nibbana),
dwells with mind inspired (by supramundane wisdom),
and is no more bound by sense pleasures —
such a man is called "One Bound Upstream."
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When, after a long absence,
a man safely returns from afar,
his relatives, friends and well-wishers
welcome him home on arrival.
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As kinsmen welcome a dear one on arrival,
even so his own good deeds
will welcome the doer of good
who has gone from this world to the next.