iti109:0.1So It Was Said 109
iti109:0.2The Book of the Fours
iti109:0.3The Chapter on the Brahmin’s Offering of the Teaching
iti109:0.4A River
iti109:1.1This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
iti109:2.1“Suppose a person was being carried along by a river current that seemed nice and pleasant.
iti109:2.2If a person with clear eyes saw them, they’d say:
iti109:2.3‘My man, even though the river current carrying you along seems nice and pleasant, downstream there is a lake with waves and whirlpools, saltwater crocodiles and monsters. When you reach there it will result in death or deadly pain.’
iti109:2.4Then, when they heard what was said, they’d paddle against the stream using their hands and feet.
iti109:3.1I’ve made up this simile to make a point.
iti109:3.2And this is the point.
iti109:3.3‘River current’ is a term for craving.
iti109:4.1‘Seeming nice and pleasant’ is a term for the six interior sense fields.
iti109:5.1‘A downstream lake’ is a term for the five lower fetters.
iti109:6.1‘Danger of waves’ is a term for anger and distress.
iti109:7.1‘Whirlpool’ is a term for the five kinds of sensual stimulation.
iti109:8.1‘Saltwater crocodiles and monsters’ is a term for ladies.
iti109:9.1‘Against the stream’ is a term for renunciation.
iti109:10.1‘Paddling with hands and feet’ is a term for rousing energy.
iti109:11.1‘A person with clear eyes’ is a term for the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha.”
iti109:11.2The Buddha spoke this matter.
iti109:11.3On this it is said:
iti109:12.1“In pain they’d give up sensual pleasures,
iti109:12.2aspiring to the future sanctuary from the yoke.
iti109:12.3With deep understanding and heart well freed,
iti109:12.4they’d experience universal liberation.
iti109:12.5That knowledge master who has completed the spiritual journey,
iti109:12.6and gone to the end of the world, is called ‘one who has gone beyond’.”
iti109:13.1This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.