Saṃyutta Nikāya
II. Nidāna Vagga
20. Opamma-Saṃuttaṃ

Sutta 4

Ukkhā-Sata Suttaṃ
aka
Okkhā Suttaṃ

The Finger-Snap

Translated from the Pāḷi
by
Michael M. Olds

[Note: This translation is either very free or I have placed it here where it belongs elsewhere. For versions more closely following the Pāḷi, see those of Mrs. Rhys Davids or Bhk. Thanissaro.]

 

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[1][rhyc][than] 176 "Beggars!

Practice the heart's release
through friendly vibrations Beggars.

Practicing the heart's release
through friendly vibrations
brings great fruit
brings great profit.

Beggars!
If one were to give
100 bowls of rice
in the morning
and again at noon
and again in the evening,

Or if one were to practice
the heart of friendly vibrations
in the morning
and again at noon
and again in the evening,
if only for so short a time
as it takes to snap the fingers,

Greater would be the fruit
greater would be the profit
of the practice of
the heart of friendly vibrations
in the morning
and again at noon
and again in the evening
if only for so short a time
as it takes to snap the fingers,

Less would be the fruit
less would be the profit
of giving 100 bowls of rice
in the morning
and again at noon
and again in the evening,

Not even worth a quarter part
of a quarter part
would be the fruit
would be the profit
of giving 100 bowls of rice
in the morning
and again at noon
and again in the evening

Compared to the fruit
compared to the profit
of the practice of
the heart of friendly vibrations
in the morning
and again at noon
and again in the evening
if even for only so short a time
as it takes to snap the fingers.

Wherefore, beggars, train yourselves this way:

'Let us develop,
make a big thing of,
make a vehicle of,
make a habit of,
establish,
build up,
well set going
the heart's release through friendly vibrations.'"