The Buddha teaches the four noble truths regarding the ocean (1st), urging mendicants to practice for direct knowledge of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path.

SN 56.57 The Ocean (1st)

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso mahāsamuddato dve tīṇi udakaphusitāni uddharitāni.

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁyāni dve tīṇi udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni, yaṁ mahāsamudde udakan”ti?

“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ, yadidaṁmahāsamudde udakaṁ; appamattakāni dve tīṇi udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni. Saṅkhampi na upenti, upanidhampi na upenti, kalabhāgampi na upenti mahāsamudde udakaṁ upanidhāya dve tīṇi udakaphusitāni ubbhatānī”ti.

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa …pe…

yogo karaṇīyo”ti.

Sattamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso mahāsamuddato dve tīṇi udakaphusitāni uddharitāni.

“Mendicants, suppose a man was to draw up two or three drops of water from the ocean.

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

What do you think, mendicants?

katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁyāni dve tīṇi udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni, yaṁ mahāsamudde udakan”ti?

Which is more: the two or three drops drawn out or the water in the ocean?”

“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ, yadidaṁmahāsamudde udakaṁ; appamattakāni dve tīṇi udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni.

“Sir, the water in the ocean is certainly more. The two or three drops drawn out are tiny.

Saṅkhampi na upenti, upanidhampi na upenti, kalabhāgampi na upenti mahāsamudde udakaṁ upanidhāya dve tīṇi udakaphusitāni ubbhatānī”ti.

Compared to the water in the ocean, it doesn’t count, there’s no comparison, it’s not worth a fraction.”

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa …pe…

“In the same way, for a noble disciple …

yogo karaṇīyo”ti.

That’s why you should practice meditation …”

Sattamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Cultivation

Cultivation

The active practice of 'bringing into being' wholesome states. It is the deliberate nurturing of the bright state of mind.

Also known as: development, improvement, meditation, nurturing, growth
Pāli: bhāvanā
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Jhana

Jhana

An abiding with a steady, collected awareness that is attained through seclusion from the five hindrances and unwholesome mental states. When supported by right view, a jhāna can be a basis for the wearing away of taints and directing the mind toward the vision of Nibbāna.

Also known as: meditation, undistracted awareness, absorption, mental absorption
Pāli: jhāna, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Last updated on July 27, 2026