79. Semi-reclining Buddha in front of a stupa,

date unknown, Burma.

 

 

…on the value of renunciation:

“Having seen the drawback of sensual pleasures, I pursued that theme; having understood the reward of renunciation, I familiarised myself with it. My heart leaped up at renunciation, grew confident, steadfast, and firm, seeing it as peace. Then, quite withdrawn from sensuality, withdrawn from unskilful qualities, I entered and remained in the first jhana: rapture and pleasure born from withdrawal, accompanied by directed thought and evaluation.”

[AN IX.41]

 

… and on the four Noble Truths:

“Bhikkhus, it is through not realising, through not penetrating the Four Noble Truths that this long course of birth and death has been passed through and undergone by me as well as by you. What are these four? They are the noble truth of Dukkha; the noble truth of the origin of Dukkha; the noble truth of the cessation of Dukkha; and the noble truth of the way to the cessation of Dukkha. But now, bhikkhus, that these have been realised and penetrated, cut off is the craving for existence, destroyed is that which leads to renewed becoming, and there is no fresh becoming.”

[DN 16]