SN 56.31 - Simsapa Sutta

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

I just wanted to share my favourite sutta, the Simsapa Sutta from the Samyutta Nikaya. Does anyone else like this sutta, or have they found it in anyway useful in their practice?

SN 56.31 - Simsapa Sutta

Translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn56/sn56.031.than.html

Once the Blessed One was staying at Kosambi in the simsapa forest. Then, picking up a few simsapa leaves with his hand, he asked the monks, "What do you think, monks: Which are more numerous, the few simsapa leaves in my hand or those overhead in the simsapa forest?"

"The leaves in the hand of the Blessed One are few in number, lord. Those overhead in the simsapa forest are more numerous."

"In the same way, monks, those things that I have known with direct knowledge but have not taught are far more numerous [than what I have taught]. And why haven't I taught them? Because they are not connected with the goal, do not relate to the rudiments of the holy life, and do not lead to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding. That is why I have not taught them.

"And what have I taught? 'This is stress... This is the origination of stress... This is the cessation of stress... This is the path of practice leading to the cessation of stress': This is what I have taught. And why have I taught these things? Because they are connected with the goal, relate to the rudiments of the holy life, and lead to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding. This is why I have taught them.

"Therefore your duty is the contemplation, 'This is stress... This is the origination of stress... This is the cessation of stress.' Your duty is the contemplation, 'This is the path of practice leading to the cessation of stress.'"

Metta,
Retro.

[ben]

Thanks Retro

A beautiful and profound sutta. It is also one of my favourites. I can't say that I use it as an aid in any way except to contemplate the sublime nature of the Dhamma and the imponderable extent of the Buddha's wisdom.
Metta

Ben

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Ben,

Yes, indeed. I find the more one comes to know the Buddha's teachings through the Pali Canon in terms of what he taught, how he taught it and so on, you really start to see quite how ingenious his teachings methods were.

The Buddha is cool.

Metta,
Retro.

[fede]

The more I read just this particular Sutta, the more comforted I am that I am so ignorant... It used to be a real cause of shame to me to be so inexperienced with regard to what the Buddha said about this, or what he taught about that....
This sutta teaches me that to read, learn, understand, accept and realise the Four Noble Truths, and naturally, the Eightfold path, is in itself a good step in the right direction.
This is not to say that I should permit myself to be complacent, but I know I needn't beat myself up so badly now...

[manapa]

I can't say it is one I look at or think about often!
I Personally prefer MN 58: Abhayarajakumara Sutta — To Prince Abhaya and the simile of the saw