210. Seek no intimacy
with the beloved and also not with the unloved,
for not to see the beloved and to see the unloved, both are painful.
211. Therefore hold nothing
dear,
for separation from the dear is painful.
There are no bonds for those who have nothing beloved or unloved.
212. From endearment
springs grief, from endearment springs fear.
From him who is wholly free from endearment
there is no grief, whence then fear?
213. From affection springs
grief, from affection springs fear.
From him who is wholly free from affection
there is no grief, whence then fear?
214. From attachment
springs grief, from attachment springs fear.
From him who is wholly free from attachment
there is no grief, whence then fear?
215. From lust springs
grief, from lust springs fear.
From him who is wholly free from craving
there is no grief; whence then fear?
216. From craving springs
grief, from craving springs fear.
From him who is wholly free from craving
there is no grief; whence then fear?
217. People hold dear
him who embodies virtue and insight,
who is principled, has realized the truth,
and who himself does what he ought to be doing.
218. One who is intent
upon the Ineffable (Nibbana),
dwells with mind inspired (by supramundane wisdom),
and is no more bound by sense pleasures --
such a man is called "One Bound Upstream". [18]
219. When, after a long
absence, a man safely returns from afar,
his relatives, friends and well-wishers welcome him home on arrival.
220. As kinsmen welcome
a dear one on arrival,
even so his own good deeds will welcome the doer of good
who has gone from this world to the next.