sn.1.1 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Crossing the Flood

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapiṇḍika’s Park. Then, when the night had advanced, a certain devatā of stunning beauty, illuminating the entire Jeta’s Grove, approached the Blessed One. Having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One, stood to one side, and said to him:

“How, dear sir, did you cross the flood?”

“By not halting, friend, and by not straining I crossed the flood.”

“But how is it, dear sir, that by not halting and by not straining you crossed the flood?”

“When I came to a standstill, friend, then I sank; but when I struggled, then I got swept away. It is in this way, friend, that by not halting and by not straining I crossed the flood.”

The devatā:

“After a long time at last I see
A brahmin who is fully quenched,
Who by not halting, not straining,
Has crossed over attachment to the world.”

This is what that devatā said. The Teacher approved. Then that devatā, thinking, “The Teacher has approved of me,” paid homage to the Blessed One and, keeping him on the right, disappeared right there.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Crossing the Flood

So I have heard.
At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery.
Then, late at night, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him,
“Good sir, how did you cross the flood?”
“Neither standing nor swimming, sir, I crossed the flood.”
“But in what way did you cross the flood neither standing nor swimming?”
“When I stood still, I went under.
And when I swam, I was swept away.
That’s how I crossed the flood neither standing nor swimming.”
“After a long time I see
a brahmin extinguished.
Neither standing nor swimming,
he’s crossed over clinging to the world.”
This is what that deity said,
and the teacher approved.

Then that deity, knowing that the teacher approved, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before vanishing right there.