Saṃyutta Nikāya
II. Nidāna Vagga
20. Opamma-Saṃutta

The Book of the Kindred Sayings
II. The Book Called the Nidāna-Vagga
Containing Kindred sayings on Cause
and Other Subjects
20. Kindred Sayings on Parables

Sutta 3

Nakhasikhaṃ Suttaṃ

The Clans

Translated by Mrs. Rhys Davids
Assisted by F. L. Woodward

Originally Published by
The Pali Text Society
Public Domain

 

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[176]

[1][than] Thus have I heard:

The Exalted One was once staying near Sāvatthi at the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

[2] "Just as whatever clans have many women,
few men,
are easily molested by robbers and pot-thieves,^[1]
even so, brethren,
any brother who has not developed
and often practised
liberation of will through love
is easily molested by beings other than human.

[4] Just as whatever clans have few women,
many men,
are hard to molest by robbers and pot-thieves,
even so any brother who has developed
and often practised
liberation of will through love
is hardly molested by beings other than human.

[6] Wherefore, brethren, thus must ye train yourselves:­

Liberation of the will through love we will develop,
we will often practise it,
make it a vehicle,
make it a base,
take our stand upon it,
store it up,
thoroughly set it going."

 

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^[1] Burglars who conceal their lights in jars when house-breaking. Comy.