[Ajita:]

	With what
is the world shrouded?
	Because of what
doesn't it shine?
	With what
is it smeared? Tell me.
	What
is its great danger & fear?

[The Buddha:]

	With ignorance
the world is shrouded.
	Because of stinginess,
heedlessness,
it doesn't shine.
	With longing
it's smeared — I tell you.
Suffering-stress:
its great danger & fear.

[Ajita:]

They flow every which way,
	the streams.
What is their blocking,
what their restraint — tell me — 
with what are they finally stopped?

[The Buddha:]

Whatever streams
there are in the world:
	their blocking is
	mindfulness, mindfulness
	is their restraint — I tell you — 
with discernment
	they're finally stopped.

[Ajita:]

Discernment & mindfulness,
name & form, dear sir:
Tell me, when asked this,
	where are they brought to a halt?

[The Buddha:]

This question you've asked, Ajita,
I'll answer it for you — 
where name & form
	are brought to a halt
	without trace:
With the cessation of consciousness
	they're brought
	to a halt.

[Ajita:]

Those here who have fathomed the Dhamma,
	those who are learners,
	those who are run-of-the-mill:
When you, dear sir, astute,
	are asked this,
tell me their manner of life.

[The Buddha:]

He should not hanker
		for sensual pleasures,
	should be limpid in mind.
Skilled in all mental qualities,
he, the monk, should live his life
		mindfully.