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The Ending of Defilements

Iti 102 · Āsavakkhayasutta

A gentle stream flowing around a smooth dark boulder.

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

“Mendicants, I say that the ending of defilements is for one who knows and sees, not for one who does not know or see. For one who knows and sees what? The ending of defilements is for one who knows and sees suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. The ending of the defilements is for one who knows and sees this.”

The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

“As a trainee trains, following the straight road, first they know about ending; enlightenment follows in the same lifetime.

Then to one freed through enlightenment the knowledge of ending arises, the supreme knowledge of freedom, with the ending of the fetters.

Not by the lazy, or by fools who don’t understand may this be realized—extinguishment, the release from all ties.”

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

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Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.