‘It’s not just me who shall be the owner of my deeds and heir to my deeds. For all sentient beings shall be the owners of their deeds and heirs to their deeds, as long as they come and go, pass away and are reborn.’ When they review this subject often, the path is born in them. They cultivate, develop, and make much of it. By doing so, they give up the fetters and eliminate the underlying tendencies.

For others, sickness is natural,

and so are old age and death.

Though this is how their nature is,

ordinary people feel disgusted.

If I were to be disgusted

with creatures whose nature is such,

it would not be appropriate for me,

since my life is just the same.

Living in such a way,

I understood the truth without attachments.

I mastered all vanities—

of health, of youth,

and even of life—

seeing renunciation as sanctuary.

Zeal sprang up in me

as I looked to extinguishment.

Now I’m unable

to indulge in sensual pleasures;

there’s no turning back,

I’m committed to the spiritual life.”