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25. Vajirūpama Sutta (Like Diamond) Bhikkhus, there are these three types of beings found in existence. What three? Someone who has a mind that is similar to an open wound; another whose mind is like that of lightning; and yet another whose mind is like that of a diamond. And who, Bhikkhus, is that person who has a mind that is similar to an open wound? Here, being irritable, a person is prone to easily getting enraged. Even if he were to receive a minor criticism, he quickly becomes infuriated, resentful, angry, and bitter. In addition, much like an open wound, he stays inflamed and easily provoked at the slightest contact, whereby more pus and nasty stuff would ooze out from such a wound when touched, just like for such a person who, with his underlying hatred and rage, forces others around him to ‘walk on egg-shells,’ simply to avoid accidentally provoking another outburst from him. This is a person who has a mind that is similar to an open wound. And who, Bhikkhus, is that person whose mind is like that of lightning? Here, a person understands as it actually is: “This is suffering; this is the origin of suffering; this is the cessation and ending of suffering; this is the Path that leads to the ending of suffering.” Much like in the darkest part of the night when a lightning strikes, a man with good eyesight would be able to see its bright flash and everything it lights up, clearly and in all their detail, so too does this person who understands, as it actually is: “This is suffering; this is the origin of suffering; this is the cessation and ending of suffering; this is the Path that leads to the ending of suffering.” This is the person whose mind is like that of lightning. And who, Bhikkhus, is that person whose mind is like diamond? Here, through the destruction of the contaminants (āsavas), a person realizes in this life, for himself and with direct knowledge, the unshakeable serenity Heart, its Liberation through Wisdom, which he abides and dwells in from that point onward. Similar to the diamond that can cut anything, whether a gem, a rock, or a metal, while itself staying intact, so too, on cutting and penetrating through delusion and thus destroying the contaminants, such a person realizes in this life, for himself and with direct knowledge, the unshakeable serenity of the Heart, its Liberation through Wisdom, which he abides and dwells in from that point onward. This, therefore, is the person whose mind is like that of a diamond. These, Bhikkhus, are the three types of beings found in existence.