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SN 56.53PTS SN 5.4601 min read

Where the Waters Join Together (1st)

Paṭhamasambhejjasutta

As a few drops of water compared to the confluence of great rivers, so is the suffering remaining to one who has seen the four noble truths.

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

  • 0.1Saṁyutta Nikāya 56.53Linked Discourses 56.53
  • 0.26. Abhisamayavagga6. Comprehension

0.3PaṭhamasambhejjasuttaWhere the Waters Join Together (1st)

1.1PTS 5.461“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, yatthimā mahānadiyo saṁsandanti samenti, seyyathidaṁ—“Mendicants, there are places where the great rivers—the Ganges, Yamunā, Aciravatī, Sarabhū, and Mahī—join together and converge.1.2gaṅgā, 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.

1.3Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,What do you think, mendicants?1.4katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ—yāni 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?”

1.5“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ, yadidaṁ—saṁbhejjaudakaṁ; appamattakāni dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni.“Sir, the water in the confluence is certainly more. The two or three drops drawn out are tiny.1.6Saṅkhampi na upenti, upanidhampi na upenti, kalabhāgampi na upenti saṁbhejjaudakaṁ upanidhāya dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatānī”ti.Compared to the water in the confluence, it doesn’t count, there’s no comparison, it’s not worth a fraction.”

1.7“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa …pe…“In the same way, for a noble disciple …

1.8yogo karaṇīyo”ti.That’s why you should practice meditation …”

1.9Tatiyaṁ.