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

SN 56.59 A Mountain (1st)

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso himavato pabbatarājassa satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhipeyya.

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhittā, ayaṁ himavā pabbatarājā”ti?

“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ, yadidaṁhimavā pabbatarājā; appamattikā satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhittā. Saṅkhampi na upenti, upanidhampi na upenti, kalabhāgampi na upenti himavantaṁ pabbatarājānaṁ upanidhāya satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhittā”ti.

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa …pe…

yogo karaṇīyo”ti.

Navamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso himavato pabbatarājassa satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhipeyya.

“Mendicants, suppose a person was to place seven pebbles the size of mustard seeds on the Himalayas, the king of mountains.

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

What do you think, mendicants?

katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhittā, ayaṁ himavā pabbatarājā”ti?

Which is more: the seven pebbles the size of mustard seeds, or the Himalayas, the king of mountains?”

“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ, yadidaṁhimavā pabbatarājā; appamattikā satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhittā.

“Sir, the Himalayas, the king of mountains, is certainly more. The seven pebbles the size of mustard seeds are tiny.

Saṅkhampi na upenti, upanidhampi na upenti, kalabhāgampi na upenti himavantaṁ pabbatarājānaṁ upanidhāya satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhittā”ti.

Compared to the Himalayas, they don’t count, there’s no comparison, they’re 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 …”

Navamaṁ.

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
View all discourses →
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
View all discourses →

Last updated on July 27, 2026