Aṅguttara Nikāya
Catukka Nipāta
XI: Valāhaka Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
Chapter XI: Rain-Cloud
Sutta 109
Balivadda Suttaɱ
Trees[1]
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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[1] Thus have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī at Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted ONe.
The Exalted One said this:
"Monks, there are these four trees.
What four?
Sapwood surrounded by sapwood,
sapwood surrounded by heartwood,
heartwood surrounded by sapwood,
and heart-wood surrounded by heartwood.
These are the four.
In like manner, monks, these four persons resembling trees
are found existing in the world.
What four?
Sapwood surrounded by sapwood,
sapwood surrounded by heartwood,
heartwood surrounded by sapwood,
and heart-wood surrounded by heartwood.
■
[115] And how, monks, is a person like sapwood
surrounded by sapwood?
In this case a certain person is immoral,
of a wicked nature,
and his company is immoral,
of a wicked nature.
Thus a person is like sapwood
surrounded by sapwood.
Just as that tree of sapwood is surrounded by sapwood trees,
even so using this figure do I speak of this person.
■
And how, monks, is a person like sapwood
surrounded by heartwood?
In this case a certain person is immoral,
of a wicked nature,
but his company is virtuous,
of a lovely nature.
Thus a person is like sapwood
surrounded by heartwood.
Just as that tree of sapwood is surrounded by heartwood trees,
even so using this figure do I speak of this person.
■
And how, monks, is a person like heartwood
surrounded by sapwood?
In this case a certain person is virtuous,
of a lovely nature,
but his company is immoral,
of a wicked nature.
Thus a person is like heartwood
surrounded by sapwood.
Just as that tree of heartwood is surrounded by sapwood trees,
even so using this figure do I speak of this person.
■
And how, monks, is a person like heartwood surrounded by heartwood?
In this case a certain person is virtuous,
of a lovely nature,
and his company is virtuous,
of a lovely nature.
Thus a person is like heartwood surrounded by heartwood.
Just as that tree of heartwood is surrounded by heartwood trees,
even so using this figure do I speak of this person.
These, monks, are the four persons found existing in the world.'
