{"collection":"Anguttara Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_an3.100/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_an3.100","id":"suttacentral_an3.100","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/an3.100/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Anguttara Nikaya","Early Buddhist Texts"],"text":"\u201cMendicants, suppose you say: \u2018No matter how this person performs a deed, they experience it the same way.\u2019 This being so, the spiritual life could not be lived, and there\u2019d be no chance of making a complete end of suffering. Suppose you say: \u2018No matter how this person performs a deed, they experience the result as it should be experienced.\u2019 This being so, the spiritual life can be lived, and there is a chance of making a complete end of suffering. Take the case of the individual who does a trivial bad deed, but it lands them in hell. Meanwhile, another individual does the same trivial bad deed, but experiences it in this life, so that not even a little remains, let alone a lot. What kind of individual does a trivial bad deed, but it lands them in hell? An individual who hasn\u2019t developed their physical endurance, ethics, mind, or wisdom. They\u2019re small-minded and mean-spirited, living in suffering. That kind of individual does a trivial bad deed, but it lands them in hell. What kind of individual does the same trivial bad deed, but experiences it in this life, so that not even a little remains, let alone a lot? An individual who has developed their physical endurance, ethics, mind, and wisdom. They\u2019re not small-minded, but are big-hearted, meditating on the immeasurables. That kind of individual does the same trivial bad deed, but experiences it in this life, so that not even a little remains, let alone a lot. Suppose a person was to drop a lump of salt into a mug of water. What do you think, mendicants? Would that mug of water become salty and undrinkable?\u201d \u201cYes, sir. Why is that? Because there is only a little water in the bowl.\u201d \u201cSuppose a person was to drop a lump of salt into the Ganges River. What do you think, mendicants? Would the Ganges River become salty and undrinkable?\u201d \u201cNo, sir. Why is that? Because the Ganges River is a vast mass of water.\u201d \u201cThis is how it is in the case of an individual who does a trivial bad deed, but it lands them in hell. Meanwhile, another individual does the same trivial bad deed, but experiences it in this life, so that not even a little remains, let alone a lot. \u2026 Take the case of someone who is thrown in jail for stealing half a dollar, a dollar, or a hundred dollars. While someone else isn\u2019t thrown in jail for stealing half a dollar, a dollar, or a hundred dollars. What sort of person is thrown in jail for stealing half a dollar, a dollar, or a hundred dollars? Someone who is poor, with few possessions and little wealth. That kind of person is thrown in jail for stealing half a dollar, a dollar, or a hundred dollars. What sort of person isn\u2019t thrown in jail for stealing half a dollar, a dollar, or a hundred dollars? Someone who is rich, affluent, and wealthy. That kind of person isn\u2019t thrown in jail for stealing half a dollar, a dollar, or a hundred dollars. This is how it is in the case of an individual who does a trivial bad deed, but they go to hell. Meanwhile, another individual does the same trivial bad deed, but experiences it in this life, so that not even a little remains, let alone a lot. \u2026 It\u2019s like a sheep dealer or butcher. They can execute, jail, fine, or otherwise punish one person who steals from them, but not another. What sort of person can they punish? Someone who is poor, with few possessions and little wealth. That\u2019s the kind of person they can punish. What sort of person can\u2019t they punish? A ruler or their chief minister who is rich, affluent, and wealthy. That\u2019s the kind of person they can\u2019t punish. In fact, all they can do is raise their cupped palms and ask: \u2018Please, good fellow, give me my sheep or pay me for it.\u2019 This is how it is in the case of an individual who does a trivial bad deed, but it lands them in hell. Meanwhile, another individual does the same trivial bad deed, but experiences it in this life, so that not even a little remains, let alone a lot. \u2026 Mendicants, suppose you say: \u2018No matter how this person performs a deed, they experience it the same way.\u2019 This being so, the spiritual life could not be lived, and there\u2019d be no chance of making a complete end of suffering. Suppose you say: \u2018No matter how this person performs a deed, they experience the result as it should be experienced.\u2019 This being so, the spiritual life can be lived, and there is a chance of making a complete end of suffering.\u201d","title":"A Lump of Salt","tradition":"Anguttara Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":799}