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SN 56.37PTS SN 5.4421 min read

The Simile of the Sun (1st)

Paṭhamasūriyasutta

As the dawn precedes the sunrise, right view precedes the penetration of the four noble truths.

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

  • 0.1Saṁyutta Nikāya 56.37Linked Discourses 56.37
  • 0.24. Sīsapāvanavagga4. In a Rosewood Forest

0.3PaṭhamasūriyasuttaThe Simile of the Sun (1st)

1.1“Sūriyassa, bhikkhave, udayato etaṁ pubbaṅgamaṁ etaṁ pubbanimittaṁ, yadidaṁ—aruṇuggaṁ.“Mendicants, the dawn is the forerunner and harbinger of the sunrise.

1.2Evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno catunnaṁ ariyasaccānaṁ yathābhūtaṁ abhisamayāya etaṁ pubbaṅgamaṁ etaṁ pubbanimittaṁ, yadidaṁ—sammādiṭṭhi.In the same way, for a mendicant right view is the forerunner and harbinger of truly comprehending the four noble truths.1.3Tassetaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁ:That mendicant can expect to truly understand:1.4‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānissati …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānissati.‘This is suffering’ … ‘This is the origin of suffering’ … ‘This is the cessation of suffering’ … ‘This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering’.

2.1Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yogo karaṇīyo …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yogo karaṇīyo”ti.That’s why you should practice meditation …”

2.2Sattamaṁ.