“Mendicants, there are these three defilements. What three? The defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance. These are the three defilements.” The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

“One who has ended the defilement of sensuality, whose ignorance has faded away, and whose desire to be reborn is finished—liberated, free of attachments, they bear their final body, having vanquished Māra with his legions.”

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.

So It Was Said 58 The Book of the Threes Chapter One Craving

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“Mendicants, there are these three cravings. What three? Craving for sensual pleasures, craving for continued existence, and craving for nonexistence. These are the three cravings.” The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

“Bound by craving, minds full of desire for rebirth in this or that state, yoked by Māra’s yoke, these people find no sanctuary from the yoke. Sentient beings continue to transmigrate, with ongoing birth and death.

Those who have given up craving, rid of craving for rebirth in this or that state, they in this world have truly crossed over, having reached the ending of defilements.”