I was, indeed, an astute scholar, competent to think on the meaning. The five kinds of sensual stimulation in the world, so delusory, were my downfall.

Leaping into Māra’s domain, I was struck by a powerful dart. But I was able to free myself from the trap laid by the King of Death.

I have given up all sensual pleasures; all rebirths are shattered; transmigration through births is finished; now there’ll be no more future lives.

Verses of the Senior Monks 3.13 The Book of the Threes Chapter One Abhibhūta

Listen up, all my relatives, those who have gathered here: I’ll teach you Dhamma! Painful is birth again and again.

Rouse yourselves, try harder! Devote yourselves to the instructions of the Buddha! Crush the army of death, as an elephant a hut of reeds.

Whoever shall meditate diligently in this teaching and training, giving up transmigration, will make an end to suffering.

Verses of the Senior Monks 3.14 The Book of the Threes Chapter One Gotama (2nd)