The Word of the Buddha Saṁsāra

¶ 2“This cyclic existence has an inconceivable beginning. A first point is not evident of beings who, obstructed by ignorance and fettered by craving, run on and wander in this cycle of existence. What do you think, which is greater: the tears that have flowed and poured forth from you as you ran on and wandered through this long course, weeping and wailing from association with the displeasing and separation from the pleasing, or the water in the four great oceans?”

¶ 3“As we understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, venerable sir, this alone is greater: the tears that have flowed and poured forth from us as we ran on and wandered through this long course, weeping and wailing from association with the displeasing and separation from the pleasing, not the water in the four great oceans.”

¶ 4“Good, good, bhikkhus, it is good that you understand the Dhamma taught by me in this way. This alone is greater: the tears that have flowed and poured forth from you as you ran on and wandered through this long course, weeping and wailing from association with the displeasing and separation from the pleasing, not the water in the four great oceans. For a long time, you have experienced the death of a mother; as you experienced the death of a mother, weeping and wailing from association with the displeasing and separation from the pleasing, the tears that flowed and poured forth from you were more than this, not the water in the four great oceans. For a long time, you have experienced the death of a father ... the death of a brother ... the death of a sister ... the death of a son ... the death of a daughter ... the loss of relatives ... the loss of wealth. For a long time, you have experienced loss through illness; as you experienced loss through illness, weeping and wailing from association with the displeasing and separation from the pleasing, the tears that flowed and poured forth from you were more than this, not the water in the four great oceans.

¶ 5For what reason? This cyclic existence has an inconceivable beginning. A first point is not evident of beings who, obstructed by ignorance and fettered by craving, run on and wander in this cycle of existence. For such a long time, you have experienced suffering, agony, and calamity, the cemetery has been filled up with your bones. Therefore, it is enough to become disenchanted, to become detached and to become free from all conditions.”

¶ 5For what reason? This cyclic existence has an inconceivable beginning. A first point is not evident of beings who, obstructed by ignorance and fettered by craving, run on and wander in this cycle of existence. For such a long time, you have experienced suffering, agony, and calamity, the cemetery has been filled up with your bones. Therefore, it is enough to become disenchanted, to become detached and to become free from all conditions.”