Translated from the Páli by Acharya Buddharakkhita

Chapter 2 Heedfulness

21. Heedfulness is the path to the Deathless, heedlessness is 
the path to death. The heedful do not die, the heedless are 
already dead.(The Deathless (amata): Nibbána, so called because those who 
attain it are freed from the cycle of repeated birth and death.)


22. Clearly understanding this excellence of heedfulness, the 
wise exult therein and enjoy the resort of the noble ones. (The noble ones (ariya): those who have reached any of the four stages of supramundane attainment leading irreversibly to Nibbána.)

23. The wise ones, ever meditative and steadfastly persevering, experience Nibbána, the incomparable freedom from bondage. 

24. Ever grows the glory of one who is energetic, mindful, 
and pure in conduct, discerning and self-controlled, righteous 
and heedful. 

25. By effort and heedfulness, discipline and self-mastery, let 
the wise one make for himself an island which no flood can 
overwhelm. 

26. The foolish and ignorant indulge in heedlessness, but the 
wise one guards heedfulness as his best treasure. 

27. Do not give way to heedlessness; do not indulge in 
sensual pleasures. Only the heedful and meditative attain 
great happiness. 

28. Just as one upon the summit of a mountain beholds the 
groundlings, even so when the wise man casts away heedlessness by heedfulness and ascends the high tower of wisdom, 
this sorrowless sage beholds the sorrowing and foolish 
multitude. 

29. Heedful among the heedless, wide awake among the 
sleepy, the wise man advances like a swift horse leaving 
behind a weak nag. 

30. By heedfulness did Indra become the overlord of the 
gods. Heedfulness is ever praised, and heedlessness ever 
despised.6 

31. The monk who delights in heedfulness and looks with 
fear at heedlessness advances like fire, burning all fetters 
subtle and coarse. 

32. The monk who delights in heedfulness and looks with 
fear at heedlessness will not fall. He is close to Nibbána.