This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

"Now, this, O bhikkhus, is the noble truth concerning suffering:21

"Birth is attended with pain, decay is painful, disease is painful, death is painful. Union with the unpleasant is painful, painful is separation from the pleasant? and any craving that is unsatisfied, that too is painful. In brief, bodily conditions which spring from attachment are painful.23

"This, then, O bhikkhus, is the noble truth concerning suffering.24

"Now this, O bhikkhus, is the noble truth concerning the origin of suffering:25

"Verily, it is that craving which causes the renewal of existence, accompanied by sensual delight, seeking satisfaction now here, now there, the craving for the gratification of the passions, the craving for a future life, and the craving for happiness in this life.26

"This, then, O bhikkhus, is the noble truth concerning the origin of suffering.27

"Now this, O bhikkhus, is the noble truth concerning the destruction of suffering:28

Eerily, it is the destruction, in which no passion remains, of this very thirst; it is the laying aside of, the being free from, the dwelling no longer upon this thirst.29

"This, then, O bhikkhus, is the noble truth concerning the destruction of suffering.30

"Now this, O bhikkhus, is the noble truth concerning the way which leads to the destruction of sorrow. Verily! it is this noble eightfold path; that is to say:31

"Right views; right aspirations; right speech; right behavior; right livelihood; right effort; right thoughts; and right contemplation.32

"This, then, O bhikkhus, is the noble truth concerning the destruction of sorrow.33

52