The third philosophical tenet of Spiritual Training or Sadhana is Vigilance. It has been proclaimed in Dhammapada that vigilance is one of the most necessary things for attaining success in any field whether it belongs to this world or to the other. Vigilance leads to immortality. It brings forth very good results. So every aspirant should remain vigilant always. Lord Buddha had said that an individual should not let a moment pass by. According to Gautam Buddha, "If a man holds that self is dear, let him watch himself carefully. The wise man should always be vigilant.
As it has been said that vigilance is the path leading to immortality therefore sluggishness or want of religious life or principles is the path to death. In fact those who are vigilant do not die, the sluggish are as if dead already.
Those who are vigilant delight in vigilance and rejoice in the realm of the Aryas or the Noble. The Dhammapada says that the wise ones by intense concentration, perseverance and by constant efforts attain to Nirvana, the highest freedom and happiness. In fact it has been said that the Bhikku (the mendicant) who is occupied with vigilance or looks with fear on sloth is not liable to fall, he is close to Nirvana.
Lord Buddha had said that when an individual casts away sloth by vigilance with the help of wisdom he is able to detach himself from all kinds of sorrow and move ahead leaving behind the sorrowful crowd. In fact it has been said that the wise man guards his vigilance as his best treasure. Dhammapada proclaims that the glory increases of the vigilant man, who has roused himself, who is mindful, pure in deed, self-controlled and lives according to the Law. At the same time it has also been said that a person who meditates with vigilance obtains ample happiness.
It has been said in Dhammapada that a wise man should leave the path of darkness and follow the path of light. He should leave the worldly home and adopt a homeless state. He should seek delight in seclusion. According to the philosophy of Dhammapada a wise man should cleanse his mind from all kinds of defilement. He should not claim anything as his own and put away all kinds of worldly pleasures. A man who drinks the nectar of Dhamma his mind is free from sin and fear and his mind is filled with the sweetness of solitude and tranquility. At the same time a wise man should not strive for honour but should seek wisdom.
Finally it concludes saying that if precious moments are allowed to pass by then an individual is pushed towards grief. And if a man holds his self to be dear he should watch himself carefully. The wise man should keep vigilant at all points of his life to attain Nirvana.
