This chapter revisits the Buddha's awakening, using water-based imagery to highlight the transformative power of the Dhamma. The discourses emphasize how the Dhamma serves as a vessel, carrying practitioners across the flood of worldly challenges and towards liberation. This collection reinforces the strength and guidance offered by the Buddha's teachings in navigating the journey to awakening.
Cūḷavagga - The Lesser Chapter
Seeing venerable Lakuṇḍaka Bhaddiya’s mind liberated from the taints through not grasping from a talk on the Dhamma by venerable Sāriputta, the Blessed One expresses an inspired utterance about his liberation.
Seeing venerable Sāriputta instructing venerable Lakuṇḍaka Bhaddiya even more, considering him to be a trainee despite his mind having already been liberated, the Blessed One expresses an inspired utterance about the cutting of the round and the end of suffering.
On seeing the people of Sāvatthi excessively clinging to sensual pleasures, the Buddha expresses an inspired utterance on the bondage that ensues from sensual desire.
On seeing the people of Sāvatthi clinging to sensual pleasures, the Buddha expresses an inspired utterance on harm that comes from sensual desire.
Seeing the venerable Lakuṇḍaka Bhaddiya being treated with contempt by the bhikkhus for his stunted appearance, the Blessed One reveals his great supernormal power and attainment of Arahantship with an inspired verse.
Observing Aññāsi Koṇḍañña reviewing his liberation from craving, the Buddha utters an inspired verse praising the arahant who is rootless, unbound, and beyond reproach.
The Buddha expresses an inspired utterance after reflecting on his giving up of the perceptions and notions [born of] mental proliferation.
Seeing venerable Mahākaccāna sitting with mindfulness immersed in the body, the Blessed One expresses an inspired verse about mindfulness leading to the cutting of attachment.
When hostile brahmins block a well with chaff to prevent the Saṅgha from drinking, the water miraculously clears for the Buddha.
After King Udena's palace burns down and five hundred women headed by Sāmāvatī die, the Buddha confirms their spiritual attainments and expresses an inspired verse about the world in bondage to delusion.