SN 15 · 20 texts · 20 in English
Linked Discourses on the Unknowable Beginning
Anamataggasaṁyutta
The “Linked Discourses on the Unknowable Beginning” contains 20 discourses that speak of how the ultimate origin of the process of transmigration (saṁsāra) is unknowable. This theme is a direct counter to the hubris of the creation myths found in most religions, which confidently recount events which are in fact permanently hidden from view. The Buddha emphasized that transmigration has been ongoing for a fathomless period of time, illustrating it with a series of powerful similes.
Chapter One
Paṭhamavagga-
SN 15.1
Grass and SticksTiṇakaṭṭhasutta
Transmigration is endless, like the grass and twigs in India.
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SN 15.2
The EarthPathavīsutta
Transmigration is endless, like the great earth.
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SN 15.3
TearsAssusutta
The tears you have shed in transmigration are greater than the waters in the oceans.
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SN 15.4
Mother’s MilkKhīrasutta
The mother’s milk you have drunk in transmigration is greater than the waters in the oceans.
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SN 15.5
A MountainPabbatasutta
A great mountain would erode before the end of the eon.
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SN 15.6
A Mustard SeedSāsapasutta
A city filled with mustard seeds might be emptied before the end of an eon.
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SN 15.7
DisciplesSāvakasutta
Even recollecting 100,000 eons per day you’ll never remember the beginning of transmigration.
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SN 15.8
The GangesGaṅgāsutta
There have been more eons than the sands in the Ganges river.
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SN 15.9
A StickDaṇḍasutta
Like a stick falling on this side or that, beings are reborn in different realms.
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SN 15.10
A Single IndividualPuggalasutta
The bones you’ve left behind in transmigration are greater than a mountain.
Chapter Two
Dutiyavagga-
SN 15.11
In a Sorry StateDuggatasutta
When you see someone suffer, know that you too have experienced that.
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SN 15.12
In a Good WaySukhitasutta
When you see someone happy, know that you too have experienced that.
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SN 15.13
Thirty MendicantsTiṁsamattasutta
The blood you have shed from being slaughtered or beheaded in transmigration is greater than the waters in the oceans.
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SN 15.14
MotherMātusutta
It is not easy to find a being who has not been your mother.
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SN 15.15
FatherPitusutta
It is not easy to find a being who has not been your father.
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SN 15.16
BrotherBhātusutta
It is not easy to find a being who has not been your brother.
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SN 15.17
SisterBhaginisutta
It is not easy to find a being who has not been your sister.
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SN 15.18
SonPuttasutta
It is not easy to find a being who has not been your son.
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SN 15.19
DaughterDhītusutta
It is not easy to find a being who has not been your daughter.
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SN 15.20
Mount VepullaVepullapabbatasutta
The Buddha recounts how peoples of the past had different names for the mountains of Rājagaha. Yet now they have all gone.