[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.