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