The Sutta Nipata
The "Sutta Collection"
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Sutta Nipata II.8
Nava Sutta
The Simile of the Boat
Translated from the Pali by John D. Ireland.
"He from whom a person learns the Dhamma should be
venerated, as the devas venerate Inda, their Lord. [1]
He, (a teacher) of great learning, thus venerated, will explain the Dhamma,
being well-disposed towards one. Having paid attention and considered it, a wise
man, practicing according to Dhamma, becomes learned, intelligent and
accomplished by associating himself diligently with such a teacher.
"But by following an inferior and foolish teacher who
has not gained (fine) understanding of the Dhamma and is envious of others, one
will approach death without comprehending the Dhamma and unrelieved of doubt.
"If a man going down into a river, swollen and swiftly
flowing, is carried away by the current -- how can he help others across?
"Even so, he who has not comprehended the Dhamma, has
not paid attention to the meaning as expounded by the learned, being himself
without knowledge and unrelieved of doubt -- how can he make others understand?
"But if (the man at the river) knows the method and is
skilled and wise, by boarding a strong boat equipped with oars and a rudder, he
can, with its help, set others across. Even so, he who is experienced and has a
well-trained mind, who is learned and dependable, [2]
clearly knowing, he can help others to understand who are willing to listen and
ready to receive.[3]
"Surely, therefore, one should associate with a good man
who is wise and learned. By understanding the meaning of what one has learnt and
practicing accordingly one who has Dhamma-experience [4]
attains (supreme) happiness." [5]
-- vv. 316-323
Notes
1. "Inda" (Sanskrit
"Indra") is another name for Sakka, the ruler of the gods.
[Go back]
2. He has a character which remains
unperturbed by the vicissitudes of life (Comy).
[Go back]
3. Possessing the supporting
conditions for attaining the Paths and Fruits of Stream-winning, Once-returning,
Never-returning and Final Sainthood (Arahatta).
[Go back]
4. One who has fully understood or
experienced the Dhamma by penetrating to its essence through the practice taught
by a wise teacher (Comy).
[Go back]
5. The transcendental happiness of
the Paths and Fruits and of Nibbana.
[Go back]
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Contents
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III | Ch IV|
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