{"collection":"Samyutta Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_sn35.116/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_sn35.116","id":"suttacentral_sn35.116","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/sn35.116/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Samyutta Nikaya"],"text":"\u201cMendicants, I say it\u2019s not possible to know or see or reach the end of the world by traveling. But I also say there\u2019s no making an end of suffering without reaching the end of the world.\u201d When he had spoken, the Blessed One rose from his seat and entered his dwelling. Soon after the Buddha left, those mendicants considered, \u201cThe Buddha gave this brief summary recital, then entered his dwelling without explaining the meaning in detail. \u2026 Who can explain in detail the meaning of this brief summary recital given by the Buddha?\u201d Then those mendicants thought, \u201cThis Venerable \u0100nanda is praised by the Buddha and esteemed by his sensible spiritual companions. He is capable of explaining in detail the meaning of this brief summary recital given by the Buddha. Let\u2019s go to him, and ask him about this matter.\u201d Then those mendicants went to \u0100nanda and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, they sat down to one side. They told him what had happened, and said, \u201cMay Venerable \u0100nanda please explain this.\u201d \u201cReverends, suppose there was a person in need of heartwood. And while wandering in search of heartwood he\u2019d come across a large tree standing with heartwood. But he\u2019d pass over the roots and trunk, imagining that the heartwood should be sought in the branches and leaves. Such is the consequence for the venerables. Though you were face to face with the Buddha, you bypassed him, imagining that you should ask me about this matter. For he is the Buddha, the one who knows and sees. He is vision, he is knowledge, he is the manifestation of principle, he is the manifestation of divinity. He is the preacher, the proclaimer, the elucidator of meaning, the bestower of freedom from death, the lord of truth, the Realized One. That was the time to approach the Buddha and ask about this matter. You should have remembered it in line with the Buddha\u2019s answer.\u201d \u201cCertainly he is the Buddha, the one who knows and sees. He is vision, he is knowledge, he is the manifestation of principle, he is the manifestation of divinity. He is the preacher, the proclaimer, the elucidator of meaning, the bestower of freedom from death, the lord of truth, the Realized One. That was the time to approach the Buddha and ask about this matter. We should have remembered it in line with the Buddha\u2019s answer. Still, Venerable \u0100nanda is praised by the Buddha and esteemed by his sensible spiritual companions. You are capable of explaining in detail the meaning of this brief summary recital given by the Buddha. Please explain this, if it\u2019s no trouble.\u201d \u201cThen listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.\u201d \u201cYes, reverend,\u201d they replied. \u0100nanda said this: \u201cReverends, the Buddha gave this brief summary recital, then entered his dwelling without explaining the meaning in detail: \u2018Mendicants, I say it\u2019s not possible to know or see or reach the end of the world by traveling. But I also say there\u2019s no making an end of suffering without reaching the end of the world.\u2019 This is how I understand the detailed meaning of this summary recital. Whatever in the world through which you perceive the world and conceive the world is called the world in the training of the Noble One. And through what in the world do you perceive the world and conceive the world? Through the eye in the world you perceive the world and conceive the world. Through the ear \u2026 nose \u2026 tongue \u2026 body \u2026 mind in the world you perceive the world and conceive the world. Whatever in the world through which you perceive the world and conceive the world is called the world in the training of the Noble One. Reverends, the Buddha gave this brief summary, then entered his dwelling without explaining the meaning in detail: \u2018Mendicants, I say it\u2019s not possible to know or see or reach the end of the world by traveling. But I also say there\u2019s no making an end of suffering without reaching the end of the world.\u2019 That is how I understand the detailed meaning of this summary. If you wish, you may go to the Buddha and ask him about this. You should remember it in line with the Buddha\u2019s answer.\u201d \u201cYes, reverend,\u201d replied those mendicants. Then they rose from their seats and went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened. Then they said, \u201cAnd \u0100nanda explained the meaning to us in this manner, with these words and phrases.\u201d \u201cMendicants, \u0100nanda is astute, he has great wisdom. If you came to me and asked this question, I would answer it in exactly the same way as \u0100nanda. That is what it means, and that\u2019s how you should remember it.\u201d","title":"Traveling to the End of the World","tradition":"Samyutta Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":806}