The Buddha explains the five causes for liberation, which include hearing the Dhamma, teaching the Dhamma to others, reciting the Dhamma, reflecting on the Dhamma, and attending to a theme of mental stillness.

The Buddha explains how to cultivate recollection of death so that it is of great fruit and great benefit, and leads to the deathless.

Using the analogy of a capable cowherd, the Buddha outlines eleven qualities for spiritual growth, including understanding, diligent inquiry, self-restraint, and loving-kindness. As a good herdsman tends his cattle, so a wise bhikkhu tends the mind, cultivating the care and discernment that lead to growth, fulfillment, and mastery in the Dhamma and Vinaya.

The Buddha declares one who dwells negligently and one who dwells diligently through a sequence of arising mental states starting with non-restraint or restraint over the six sense bases.