iti.109 Itivuttaka

The River Current

This was said by the Lord…

“Suppose, bhikkhus, a man was being borne along by the current of a river that seemed pleasant and agreeable. But upon seeing him, a keen-sighted man standing on the bank would call out to him: ‘Hey, good man! Although you are being borne along by the current of a river that seems pleasant and agreeable, lower down there is a pool with turbulent waves and swirling eddies, with monsters and demons. On reaching that pool you will die or suffer close to death.’ Then, bhikkhus, upon hearing the words of that person, that man would struggle against the current with hands and feet.

“I have made use of this simile, bhikkhus, to illustrate the meaning. And this is the meaning here: ‘The current of the river’ is a synonym for craving. ‘Seeming pleasant and agreeable’ is a synonym for the six internal sense-bases. ‘The pool lower down’ is a synonym for the five lower fetters.‘Turbulent waves’ is a synonym for anger and frustration. ‘Swirling eddies’ is a synonym for the five strands of sensual pleasure. ‘Monsters and demons’ is a synonym for womenfolk. ‘Against the current’ is a synonym for renunciation. ‘Struggling with hands and feet’ is a synonym for instigating energy. ‘The keen-sighted man standing on the bank’ is a synonym for the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Fully Enlightened One.”

Desiring future security from bondage
One should abandon sensual desire
However painful this may be.
Rightly comprehending with wisdom,
Possessing a mind that is well released,
One may reach freedom step by step.

One who is a master of knowledge,
Who has lived the holy life,
Is called one gone to the world’s end,
One who has reached the further shore.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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A River

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Suppose a person was being carried along by a river current that seemed nice and pleasant.
If a person with good eyesight saw them, they’d say:
‘Mister, even though the river current carrying you along seems nice and pleasant, downstream there is a lake with waves and whirlpools, saltwater crocodiles and monsters. When you reach there it will result in death or deadly pain.’
Then, when they heard what was said, they’d paddle against the stream using their hands and feet.
I’ve made up this simile to make a point.
And this is the point.
‘Stream’ is a term for craving.
‘Seeming nice and pleasant’ is a term for the six interior sense fields.
‘A downstream lake’ is a term for the five lower fetters.
‘Danger of waves’ is a term for anger and distress.
‘Whirlpool’ is a term for the five kinds of sensual stimulation.
‘Saltwater crocodiles and monsters’ is a term for females.
‘Against the stream’ is a term for renunciation.
‘Paddling with hands and feet’ is a term for being energetic.
‘A person with good eyesight’ is a term for the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“In pain they’d give up sensual pleasures,
aspiring to the future sanctuary.
With deep understanding and heart well-freed,
they’d experience universal liberation.
That knowledge master who has completed the spiritual journey,
and gone to the end of the world, is called ‘one who has gone beyond’.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.