Saṁyutta Nikāya 13.3
Translators: sujato
Linked Discourses 13.3
1. Abhisamayavagga
1. Comprehension
Sambhejjaudakasutta
Where the Waters Flow Together
Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.
At Sāvatthī.
“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, yatthimā mahānadiyo saṁsandanti samenti, seyyathidaṁ—
“Mendicants, there are places where the great rivers—the Ganges, Yamuna, Aciravatī, Sarabhū, and Mahī—come together and converge.
gaṅgā yamunā aciravatī sarabhū mahī, tato puriso dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni uddhareyya.
Suppose a person was to draw two or three drops of water from such a place.
Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,
What do you think, mendicants?
katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ, yāni vā dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni yaṁ vā sambhejjaudakan”ti?
Which is more: the two or three drops drawn out or the water in the confluence?”
“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ yadidaṁ sambhejjaudakaṁ;
“Sir, the water in the confluence is certainly more.
appamattakāni dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni.
The two or three drops drawn out are tiny.
Neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti sambhejjaudakaṁ upanidhāya dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatānī”ti.
Compared to the water in the confluence, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part.”
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave …pe…
“In the same way, for a noble disciple, the suffering that’s over and done with is more …”
dhammacakkhupaṭilābho”ti.
Tatiyaṁ.