sn.1.74 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Rain

A devatā:

“What is the best of things that rise up?
What excels among things that fall down?
What is the best of things that go forth?
Who is the most excellent of speakers?”

Another devatā:

“A seed is the best of things that rise up;
Rain excels among things that fall down;
Cattle are the best of things that go forth;
A son is the most excellent of speakers.”

The Blessed One:

“Knowledge is the best of things that rise up;
Ignorance excels among things that fall down;
The Saṅgha is the best of things that go forth;
The most excellent of speakers is the Buddha.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Rain

“What’s the best of things that rise?
And what’s the finest of things that fall?
And what of the things that go forth?
And who’s the finest speaker?”
“A seed’s the best of things that rise.
Rain’s the finest thing that falls.
Cattle, of things that go forth.
And a child is the finest speaker.”
“Knowledge is best of things that rise.
Ignorance the finest thing that falls.
The Saṅgha, of things that go forth.
And the Buddha is the finest speaker.”