24.
The Chapter on Craving
334.
He floats from existence to existence, like a monkey in the forest desiring fruit.
335.
His sorrows increase, like bīraṇa grass rained upon.
336.
Sorrows fall from him, like a water drop from a lotus.
337.
Dig up the root of craving, as one desiring usīra digs up bīraṇa grass;
Let not Māra break you again and again, as a stream breaks a reed.
338.
So too when the underlying tendency of craving is not rooted out, this suffering arises again and again.
339.
Thoughts dependent on lust carry along one of wrong view in great force.
340.
And having seen that creeper arisen, cut the root with wisdom.
341.
They, attached to comfort, seekers of happiness, they indeed are men who go to birth and ageing.
342.
Attached to the fetters and bonds, they undergo suffering again and again for a long time.
343.
Therefore one should dispel craving, longing for dispassion for oneself.
344.
Come, look at that person, released, he runs back to bondage.
345.
The longing for jewelled earrings, for sons and wives, thoroughly infatuated.
346.
Having cut even this, they wander forth, without longing, having abandoned sensual happiness."
347.
Having cut even this, the wise go forth, without longing, having abandoned all suffering.
348.
With mind liberated everywhere, you will not again undergo birth and ageing.
349.
Craving increases even more, this one indeed makes the bondage firm.
350.
This one indeed will put an end to it, this one will cut the bondage of Māra.
351.
He cut off the darts of existence, this is the final body.
352.
He would know the combination of syllables, and what precedes and follows;
He indeed is called "one in his final body, of great wisdom, a great man".
353.
Having abandoned all, liberated through the elimination of craving, having directly known by myself, whom should I point to as teacher?
354.
Delight in the Dhamma conquers all delights, the elimination of craving conquers all suffering.
355.
The imprudent one, through craving for wealth, destroys none other than himself.
356.
Therefore what is given to those without lust is of great fruit.
357.
Therefore what is given to those without hate is of great fruit.
358.
Therefore what is given to those without delusion is of great fruit.
359.
Therefore what is given to those without desire is of great fruit.)
Therefore what is given to those without craving is of great fruit.
The Chapter on Craving is concluded as twenty-fourth.