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The Benefits of Training

Iti 46 · Sikkhānisaṁsasutta

Terraces of ripening grain curve across a quiet green valley.

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

“Mendicants, live with training as benefit, with wisdom as overseer, with freedom as core, and with mindfulness as ruler. A mendicant who lives in this way can expect one of two results: enlightenment in this very life, or if there’s residue left behind, non-return.”

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

“The training fulfilled, not liable to decline, overseen by wisdom, seer of rebirth’s end; that sage bears their final body; they have disposed of Māra, I declare, and gone beyond old age.

Therefore be always enjoying absorption, immersed in samādhi, energetic, seers of rebirth’s end. Having overcome Māra and his armies, mendicants, go beyond birth and death.”

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.