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Linked Discourses · SN 17.37

  • Linked Discourses 17.37Saṁyutta Nikāya 17.37
  • Chapter Four4. Catutthavagga

MotherMātusutta

At Sāvatthī.Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.

“Possessions, honor, and popularity are grim, bitter, and harsh. They’re an obstacle to reaching the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.“Dāruṇo, bhikkhave, lābhasakkārasiloko kaṭuko pharuso antarāyiko anuttarassa yogakkhemassa adhigamāya. When I’ve comprehended the mind of a certain individual, I understand:Idhāhaṁ, bhikkhave, ekaccaṁ puggalaṁ evaṁ cetasā ceto paricca pajānāmi: ‘This venerable would not tell a deliberate lie even for the sake of their mother.’‘na cāyamāyasmā mātupi hetu sampajānamusā bhāseyyā’ti. But some time later I see them tell a deliberate lie because their mind is overcome and overwhelmed by possessions, honor, and popularity.Tamenaṁ passāmi aparena samayena lābhasakkārasilokena abhibhūtaṁ pariyādiṇṇacittaṁ sampajānamusā bhāsantaṁ.

So grim are possessions, honor, and popularity—bitter and harsh, an obstacle to reaching the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.Evaṁ dāruṇo kho, bhikkhave, lābhasakkārasiloko kaṭuko pharuso antarāyiko anuttarassa yogakkhemassa adhigamāya.

So you should train like this:Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ: ‘We will give up arisen possessions, honor, and popularity, and we won’t let them occupy our minds.’‘uppannaṁ lābhasakkārasilokaṁ pajahissāma. That’s how you should train.”Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabban”ti.

Similar passages elsewhere

Found by meaning, not by citation: the passages in other texts whose wording sits closest to a passage here.

  1. SN 17.38–43 Father, Etc. 0.82near 0.1Linked Discourses 17.38–43 Chapter Four Father, Etc. At Sāvatthī. “Possessions, honor, and popularity are grim, bitter, and harsh. They’re an obstacle to reaching the supreme sanctuary from the yoke. When I’ve comprehend…
  2. SN 17.12 A Silver Pot 0.58near 0.1Linked Discourses 17.12 Chapter Two A Silver Pot At Sāvatthī. “Possessions, honor, and popularity are grim … When I’ve comprehended the mind of a certain individual, I understand: ‘This venerable would not tell a deliber…
  3. SN 17.11 A Gold Cup 0.55near 0.1Linked Discourses 17.11 Chapter Two A Gold Cup At Sāvatthī. “Possessions, honor, and popularity are grim … When I’ve comprehended the mind of a certain individual, I understand: ‘This venerable would not tell a deliberat…
  4. SN 17.21 A Lady 0.53near 0.1Linked Discourses 17.21 Chapter Three A Lady At Sāvatthī. “Possessions, honor, and popularity are grim … Even if you’re alone with a lady she might not occupy your mind, but possessions, honor and popularity would still…
  5. SN 17.24 An Only Daughter 0.50near 0.1Linked Discourses 17.24 Chapter Three An Only Daughter At Sāvatthī. “Possessions, honor, and popularity are grim … A faithful laywoman with a dear and beloved only daughter would rightly appeal to her, ‘My darling, pleas…