dn25:16.0 2.3. On Reaching the Bark
dn25:16.1 “But at what point, sir, does the fervent mortification in disgust of sin reach the peak and the pith?
dn25:16.2 Please help me reach the peak and the pith!”
dn25:16.3 “Nigrodha, take a mortifier who is restrained in the fourfold constraint.
dn25:16.4 And how is a mortifier restrained in the fourfold constraint?
dn25:16.5 It’s when a mortifier doesn’t kill living creatures, doesn’t get others to kill, and doesn’t approve of killing.
dn25:16.6 They don’t steal, get others to steal, or approve of stealing.
dn25:16.7 They don’t lie, get others to lie, or approve of lying.
dn25:16.8 They don’t expect rewards from their practice, they don’t lead others to expect rewards, and they don’t approve of expecting rewards.
dn25:16.9 That’s how a mortifier is restrained in the fourfold constraint.
dn25:16.10 When a mortifier is restrained in the fourfold constraint, that is their mortification.
dn25:16.11 They step forward, not falling back.
dn25:16.12 They frequent a secluded lodging—a wilderness, the root of a tree, a hill, a ravine, a mountain cave, a charnel ground, a forest, the open air, a heap of straw.
dn25:16.13 After the meal, they return from almsround, sit down cross-legged, set their body straight, and bring mindfulness to the present.
dn25:16.14 Giving up covetousness for the world, they meditate with a heart rid of covetousness, cleansing the mind of covetousness.
dn25:16.15 Giving up ill will and malevolence, they meditate with a mind rid of ill will, full of sympathy for all living beings, cleansing the mind of ill will.
dn25:16.16 Giving up dullness and drowsiness, they meditate with a mind rid of dullness and drowsiness, perceiving light, mindful and aware, cleansing the mind of dullness and drowsiness.
dn25:16.17 Giving up restlessness and remorse, they meditate without restlessness, their mind settled internally, cleansing the mind of restlessness and remorse.
dn25:16.18 Giving up doubt, they meditate having gone beyond doubt, not undecided about skillful qualities, cleansing the mind of doubt.

