TheravādaSN 36.4HOLYMAP · SACRED TEXTS
Sutta PiṭakaSN 36.4

Sutta Piṭaka

SN 36.4

Pātālasutta

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English · Bhikkhu Sujato

The Abyss

“Mendicants, when an unlearned ordinary person says that there’s an abyss under the ocean, they’re speaking of something that doesn’t exist. ‘Abyss’ is a term for painful physical feelings. When an unlearned ordinary person experiences painful physical feelings they sorrow and wail and lament, beating their breast and falling into confusion. They’re called an unlearned ordinary person who hasn’t stood up in the abyss and has found no footing. When a learned noble disciple experiences painful physical feelings they don’t sorrow or wail or lament, beating their breast and falling into confusion. They’re called a learned noble disciple who has stood up in the abyss and found a footing.

2
English · Bhikkhu Sujato

If you can’t abide those painful physical feelings that arise and sap your vitality; if you tremble at their touch,

3
English · Bhikkhu Sujato

weeping and wailing, a weakling lacking strength— you won’t stand up in the abyss and find a footing.

4
English · Bhikkhu Sujato

If you can endure those painful physical feelings that arise and sap your vitality; if you don’t tremble at their touch— you stand up in the abyss and find a footing.”

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SN 36.4English
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SN 36.40%

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Pāli text: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka Buddhavasse 2500 (M.L. Maniratana Bunnag Dhamma Society Fund), as published by SuttaCentral. Public domain. · Source ↗

Pāli text: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka, via SuttaCentral. Public domain.

Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato. SuttaCentral, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). · Source ↗

Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato (SuttaCentral), dedicated to the public domain via CC0. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

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