207

Giving oneself to things to be shunned and not exerting oneself where exertion is needed, seekers after pleasures forsake their own true welfare and will come to envy those intent upon their welfare.

208

Seek no intimacy with the beloved and also not with the unloved, for not to see the beloved and to see the unloved, both are painful.

209

Therefore, hold nothing dear, for separation from the dear is painful. There are no bonds for those who have nothing beloved or unloved.

210

From endearment springs grief, from endearment springs fear. For those who are wholly free from endearment there is no grief, whence then fear? From affection springs grief, from affection springs fear. For those who are wholly free from affection there is no grief, whence then fear? From attachment springs grief, from attachment springs fear. For those who are wholly free from attachment there is no grief, whence then fear? From lust springs grief, from lust springs fear. For those who are wholly free from lust there is no grief, whence then fear.

211

From craving springs grief, from craving springs fear. For those who are wholly free from craving there is no grief, whence then fear? People hold dear one who embodies virtue and insight, who is principled, has realized the Truth, and who oneself does what one ought to be doing.

212

One who is intent upon the Ineffable (Nibbana) and dwells with mind inspired (by wisdom), such a person--no more bound by sense pleasures--is called "One Bound Upstream." When, after a long absence, a person safely returns home from afar, relatives, friends and well-wishers welcome the person home on arrival.

213

As kinspeople welcome a dear one on arrival, even so one's own good deeds will welcome the doer of good who has gone from this world to the next.