The Buddha uses a simile of a dart dipped in poison to explain how acquisitions, respect, and popularity are vicious, bitter, and severe, obstructing the attainment of the unsurpassed safety from bondage.

PTS 2.229

SN 17.7 Diddha sutta - Dipped In Poison

Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.

At Sāvatthi.

“Dāruṇo, bhikkhave, lābhasakkārasiloko kaṭuko pharuso antarāyiko anuttarassa yogakkhemassa adhigamāya.

“Bhikkhus, acquisitions, respect, and popularity are vicious, bitter, and severe; they obstruct the attainment of the unsurpassed safety from bondage.

Kaṁ, bhikkhave, diddhagatena visallena sallena vijjhatu, sekhaṁ appattamānasaṁ lābhasakkārasiloko anupāpuṇātu.

Whom should a barbless dart dipped in poison strike, bhikkhus? Let acquisitions, respect, and popularity reach a trainee whose mind has not yet reached the goal.

Sallanti kho, bhikkhave, lābhasakkārasilokassetaṁ adhivacanaṁ.

The term ‘dart’, bhikkhus, is a designation for acquisitions, respect, and popularity.

Evaṁ dāruṇo kho, bhikkhave, lābhasakkārasiloko kaṭuko pharuso antarāyiko anuttarassa yogakkhemassa adhigamāya.

Thus, bhikkhus, acquisitions, respect, and popularity are vicious, bitter, and severe; they obstruct the attainment of the unsurpassed safety from bondage.

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ: ‘uppannaṁ lābhasakkārasilokaṁ pajahissāma, na ca no uppanno lābhasakkārasiloko cittaṁ pariyādāya ṭhassatī’ti. Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabban”ti.

Therefore, bhikkhus, you should train yourselves thus: ‘We will abandon the arisen acquisitions, respect and popularity, and we will not let the arisen acquisitions, respect, and popularity to continue occupying our minds.’ Thus, bhikkhus, you should train yourselves.”

Last updated on October 4, 2026

Contents