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Saṁyutta Nikāya — The Linked Discourses

Vol 1:
Verses
SN1-11
Vol 2:
Causation
SN12-21
Vol 3:
Aggregates
SN22-34
Vol 4:
Sense Bases
SN35-44
Vol 5:
Great Book
SN45-56

56. Saccasaṁyutta: On the Truths

VI. Comprehension — SN56.58: The Ocean (2nd)

1“Mendicants, suppose the water in the ocean dried up and evaporated except for two or three drops.

What do you think, mendicants? Which is more: the water in the ocean that has dried up and evaporated, or the two or three drops left?”

“Sir, the water in the ocean that has dried up and evaporated is certainly more. The two or three drops left are tiny. Compared to the water in the ocean that has dried up and evaporated, it can’t be reckoned or compared, it’s not even a fraction.”

“In the same way, for a noble disciple … That’s why you should practice meditation …”

1"Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, mahāsamudde udakaṁ parikkhayaṁ pariyādānaṁ gaccheyya ṭhapetvā dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni.

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ – yaṁ vā mahāsamudde udakaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādinnaṁ, yāni dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni avasiṭṭhānī"ti?

"Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ mahāsamudde udakaṁ yadidaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādinnaṁ; appamattakāni dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni avasiṭṭhāni. Saṅkhampi na upenti, upanidhampi na upenti, kalabhāgampi na upenti mahāsamudde udakaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādinnaṁ upanidhāya dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni avasiṭṭhānī"ti.

"Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa … pe … yogo karaṇīyo"ti.

Aṭṭhamaṁ.