You yourself must make an effort. Buddhas are only show the way. The thoughtful who enter the way are freed from the bondage of defilements.
Through effort you will cross any raging flood, through energy you will pass any sorrow.
The Buddhas do but tell the way; it is for you to swelter at the task.
Inner freedom is not guided by our efforts; it comes from seeing what is true.
By your own efforts waken yourself, watch yourself. And live joyfully.
A contemplative should pay equal attention to concentration, energetic effort and equanimity, and not exclusively to one of these factors only.
This Ariyan Eightfold Path, that is to say: Right view, right aim, right speech, right action, right living, right effort, right mindfulness, right contemplation.
So too, monks, I saw the ancient path, the ancient road traveled by the Perfectly Enlightened Ones of the past. And what is that ancient path, that ancient road? It is just this Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.
Those who by form did see me and those who followed me by voice. Wrong the efforts they engaged in, those people will not see me.
