Aṇguttara-Nikāya
I. Ekanipāta

Suttas 45-46

Udakarahaka Suttas

A Pool of Water

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Provenance, terms and conditons

 

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[45][pts][olds] "Suppose there were a pool of water
— sullied, turbid, and muddy.
A man with good eyesight
standing there on the bank
would not see shells, gravel, and pebbles,
or shoals of fish swimming about and resting.

Why is that?

Because of the sullied nature of the water.

In the same way,
that a monk with a sullied mind
would know his own benefit,
the benefit of others,
the benefit of both;
that he would realize a superior human state,
a truly noble distinction of knowledge and vision:
Such a thing is impossible.

Why is that?

Because of the sullied nature of his mind."

[46][pts][olds] "Suppose there were a pool of water
— clear, limpid, and unsullied.
A man with good eyesight
standing there on the bank
would see shells, gravel, and pebbles,
and also shoals of fish swimming about and resting.

Why is that?

Because of the unsullied nature of the water.

In the same way,
that a monk with an unsullied mind
would know his own benefit,
the benefit of others,
the benefit of both;
that he would realize a superior human state,
a truly noble distinction of knowledge and vision:
Such a thing is possible.

Why is that?

Because of the unsullied nature of his mind."