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SN 35.242PTS SN 4.1811 min read

The Simile of the Tree Trunk (2nd)

Dutiyadārukkhandhopamasutta

The Buddha gives a parable of a large log floating downstream, which, if it steers clear of the many obstacles, will eventually reach the ocean. Venerable Kimbila asks for an explanation, and the Buddha clarifies each item.

Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral

  • 0.1Saṁyutta Nikāya 35.242Linked Discourses 35.242
  • 0.219. Āsīvisavagga19. The Simile of the Vipers

0.3DutiyadārukkhandhopamasuttaThe Simile of the Tree Trunk (2nd)

1.1PTS 4.182Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kimilāyaṁ viharati gaṅgāya nadiyā tīre.At one time the Buddha was staying near Kimibilā on the bank of the Ganges River.1.2Addasā kho bhagavā mahantaṁ dārukkhandhaṁ gaṅgāya nadiyā sotena vuyhamānaṁ.Seeing a large tree trunk being carried along by the current,1.3Disvāna bhikkhū āmantesi:he addressed the mendicants:1.4“passatha no tumhe, bhikkhave, amuṁ mahantaṁ dārukkhandhaṁ gaṅgāya nadiyā sotena vuyhamānan”ti?“Mendicants, do you see that large tree trunk being carried along by the current of the Ganges River?”

1.5“Evaṁ, bhante” …pe…“Yes, sir,” they replied. …1.6evaṁ vutte, āyasmā kimilo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:When this was said, Venerable Kimbila said to the Buddha:

1.7“kiṁ nu kho, bhante, orimaṁ tīraṁ …pe…“But sir, what’s the near shore and what’s the far shore? What’s sinking in the middle? What’s getting stranded on high ground? What’s getting taken by humans or non-humans? What’s getting caught up in a whirlpool? And what’s rotting away?” …

1.8“katamo ca, kimila, antopūtibhāvo.“And what, Kimbila, is rotting away?1.9Idha, kimila, bhikkhu aññataraṁ saṅkiliṭṭhaṁ āpattiṁ āpanno hoti yathārūpāya āpattiyā na vuṭṭhānaṁ paññāyati.It’s when a mendicant has committed the kind of corrupt offense for which no rehabilitation is possible.11.10Ayaṁ vuccati, kimila, antopūtibhāvo”ti.This is called ‘rotting away’.”

1.11Pañcamaṁ.

Translator’s notes

  1. This refers to the pārājika offenses—sexual intercourse, murder, stealing, and lying about spiritual attainments—which entail immediate and permanent expulsion from the Saṅgha.

    ↩ sn35.242:1.9