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SN 56.57PTS SN 5.4631 min read

The Ocean (1st)

Paṭhamamahāsamuddasutta

As a few drops of water compared to the ocean, 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 56.57Linked Discourses 56.57
  • 0.26. Abhisamayavagga6. Comprehension

0.3PaṭhamamahāsamuddasuttaThe Ocean (1st)

1.1PTS 5.463“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso mahāsamuddato dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni uddharitāni.“Mendicants, suppose a man was to draw up two or three drops of water from the ocean.

1.2Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,What do you think, mendicants?1.3katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ—yāni dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni, yaṁ vā mahāsamudde udakan”ti?Which is more: the two or three drops drawn out or the water in the ocean?”

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

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

1.7yogo karaṇīyo”ti.That’s why you should practice meditation …”

1.8Sattamaṁ.