The Book of the Sixes

Chapter XI: The Threes

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Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove,
in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

There the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," they replied,
and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, there are these three conditions.

What three?

Unruliness,
evil friendship
and being tossed about in mind.

Verily, monks, these are the three.

And to get rid of these three,
cultivate three.

What three?

To get rid of unruliness,
cultivate rule;

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and to get rid of evil friendship,
cultivate good friendship;

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to get rid of being tossed about in mind,
cultivate mindfulness in breathing in and out.

Verily, monks, to get rid of these three conditions,
cultivate these three.'