The Teaching of Buddha - Day 17 

People have worldly passions which lead them to delusion and suffering. There are five ways to gain freedom from the bonds of these worldly passions. 

First, one should have correct ideas. This cor­rect view of things should be based on careful obser­vation while understanding the relationship between causes and effects. 

Second, one can rid mistaken observations and the resulting worldly passions by careful and patient mind-control. By overcoming desires it is possible to quiet the demands of worldly passions. 

Third, one must understand the proper function of all material things. The function of clothing and food is umelated to pleasure and comfort. Clothing is necessary to protect the body against extremes of heat and cold and to cover the shame of the body. Food is necessary to fuel the body while training for Enlightenment. Worldly passions do not arise when an understanding of the proper function of material things occurs. 

Fourth, it is most important to learn endurance. One must learn to endure the discomforts of heat and cold, hunger and thirst, and to be patient in the face of abuse and scorn for it is the practice of endurance that quenches the fire of worldly passions. 

Fifth, one must learn to recognize and avoid all danger. Just as a wise man avoids wild horses or mad dogs, one should not go to places where wise men avoid; nor make friends with evil men.