“Friend Sāriputta, it is said ‘Enlightenment, enlightenment.’ But what, friend, is this |enlightenment::awakened state, worthy state [arahatta]|?”
“Friend, the |wearing away of desire::depletion of desire, wearing away of passion [rāgakkhaya]|, the the |wearing away of aversion::wearing away of ill-will, extinction of hatred [dosakkhaya]|, the |wearing away of delusion::wearing away of illusion, ending of hallucination, ending of misperceptions and distorted views [mohakkhaya]|—this is called enlightenment.”
“Friend, is there a path, is there a way of practice leading to the realization of enlightenment?”
“Friend, there is indeed a path, there is a way of practice, for the realization of this enlightenment.”
“And what, friend, is the path, what is the way of practice [is there] for the realization of enlightenment?”
“Friend, this Noble Eightfold Path itself is the way to realize enlightenment—namely: right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right collectedness. This, friend, is the path; this is the way of practice for the realization of enlightenment.”
“Excellent is the path, friend, excellent is the way of practice for the realization of enlightenment. And it is enough, friend Sāriputta, for [arousing] |diligence::quality of wishing to do one’s work or duty well, with alertness, carefulness and care [appamāda]|.”