Chapter 13

Do not follow what is evil. Do not live carelessly. Do not embrace false teachings. Do not be a friend of the world.

Wake up! Don’t be lazy. Follow the path of virtue. The virtuous person rests in happiness, both in this world and the next.

Follow the path of virtue, not the path of wrongdoing. The virtuous person rests in happiness, both in this world and the next.

See the world as a bubble; see it as a mirage. The king of death cannot see the one who views the world this way.

Come and look at this glittering world, like a royal chariot. Fools sink into it, but the wise do not let it touch them.

Whoever was once reckless and later becomes mindful lights up this world like the moon emerging from clouds.

Whoever covers their bad deeds with good ones lights up this world like the moon emerging from clouds.

This world is dark; few can see clearly here. Only a few reach heaven, like birds escaping from a net.

Swans travel along the sun’s path; they move through the sky by their special power. In the same way, the wise are led out of this world once they have defeated Mara and his forces.

The person who breaks the basic precept, who lies, and who mocks the idea of another world—there is no evil they will not do.

The stingy do not reach the realm of the gods. Only fools fail to praise generosity. The wise person delights in giving, and through this becomes blessed in the next world.

Better than ruling the earth, better than going to heaven, better than lordship over all worlds, is the reward of taking the first step into holiness.