“This one thing, mendicants, when developed and cultivated, secures equal benefits for both this life and lives to come. What one thing? Diligence in skillful qualities. This is the one thing that, when developed and cultivated, secures equal benefits for both this life and lives to come.” The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

“The astute praise diligence in making merit. Being diligent, an astute person secures both benefits:

the benefit in this life, and in lives to come. Attentive, comprehending the meaning, they are said to be astute.”

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

So It Was Said 24 The Book of the Ones Chapter Three A Heap of Bones

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

“Mendicants, one individual roaming and transmigrating for an eon would amass a heap of bones the size of this Mount Vepulla, if they were gathered together and not lost.” The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

“If the bones of a single individual for a single eon were gathered up, they’d make a pile the size of a mountain: so said the great seer.

And this is declared to be as big as Mount Vepulla, higher than the Vulture’s Peak in the Mountainfold of the Magadhans.