Saṃyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
56. Sacca Saṃyutta
5. Papāta Vagga
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
5. The Great Chapter
56. Kindred Sayings about the Truths
5. The Precipice
Sutta 49
Paṭhama Sineru Suttaṃ
Sineru (a)
Translated by F. L. Woodward
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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Once the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.
The Exalted One said:
"Suppose, monks, a man should lay down on Sineru, lord of mountains,
seven grains of gravel
as large as beans.[1]
Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the more,
those seven grains of gravel
as large as beans laid there,
or Sineru, lord of mountains?"
[385] "Why, lord, this is greater,
this Sineru, lord of mountains.
Very small are the seven grains of gravel laid down
as large as beans.
They cannot be reckoned,
cannot be compared with it:
they do not come to
the merest fraction of a part
when compared with Sineru, lord of mountains."
"Even so, monks, for the Ariyan disciple
who is blessed with vision,
for a person of understanding,
far greater is this Ill
which he has destroyed,
which he has used up,
and infinitely small
is that Ill which remains.
It cannot be reckoned,
cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to
the merest fraction of a part of it,
when set beside that Ill
which he has destroyed,
which he has used up, -
that is, it is just a period
of seven lives at most,[2]
for the man who understands,
as it really is:
the meaning of:
'this is Ill'
who understands,
as it really is:
the meaning of:
'this is the arising of Ill'
who understands,
as it really is:
the meaning of:
'this is the ceasing of Ill'
who understands,
as it really is:
the meaning of:
'this is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
[1] Cf. S. ii, 134-7; K.S. ii, 95 ff.
[2] Satta-k-khattuṇ paramatā. Cf. n. to K.S. ii, 95. Comy. 'a measure of seven existences (rebirths)'; i.e., such a man is a Stream-winner.
