sn.12.52 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Clinging

At Savatthī. “Bhikkhus, when one dwells contemplating gratification in things that can be clung to, craving increases. With craving as condition, clinging comes to be; with clinging as condition, existence; with existence as condition, birth; with birth as condition, aging-and-death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair come to be. Such is the origin of this whole mass of suffering.

“Suppose, bhikkhus, a great bonfire was burning, consuming ten, twenty, thirty, or forty loads of wood, and a man would cast dry grass, dry cowdung, and dry wood into it from time to time. Thus, sustained by that material, fuelled by it, that great bonfire would burn for a very long time. So too, when one lives contemplating gratification in things that can be clung to, craving increases…. Such is the origin of this whole mass of suffering.

“Bhikkhus, when one dwells contemplating danger in things that can be clung to, craving ceases. With the cessation of craving comes cessation of clinging; with the cessation of clinging, cessation of existence … cessation of birth … aging-and-death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair cease. Such is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering.

“Suppose, bhikkhus, a great bonfire was burning, consuming ten, twenty, thirty, or forty loads of wood, and a man would not cast dry grass, dry cowdung, or dry wood into it from time to time. Thus, when the former supply of fuel is exhausted, that great bonfire, not being fed with any more fuel, lacking sustenance, would be extinguished. So too, when one lives contemplating danger in things that can be clung to, craving ceases…. Such is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Grasping

At Sāvatthī.
“There are things that are prone to being grasped. When you concentrate on the gratification provided by these things, your craving grows.
Craving is a condition for grasping.
Grasping is a condition for continued existence.
Continued existence is a condition for rebirth.
Rebirth is a condition for old age and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress to come to be.
That is how this entire mass of suffering originates.
Suppose a bonfire was burning with ten, twenty, thirty, or forty loads of wood.
And from time to time someone would toss in dry grass, cow dung, or wood.
Fueled and sustained by that, the bonfire would burn for a long time.
In the same way, there are things that are prone to being grasped. When you concentrate on the gratification provided by these things, your craving grows.
Craving is a condition for grasping. …
That is how this entire mass of suffering originates.
There are things that are prone to being grasped. When you concentrate on the drawbacks of these things, your craving ceases.
When craving ceases, grasping ceases.
When grasping ceases, continued existence ceases.
When continued existence ceases, rebirth ceases.
When rebirth ceases, old age and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress cease.
That is how this entire mass of suffering ceases.
Suppose a bonfire was burning with ten, twenty, thirty, or forty loads of wood.
And no-one would toss in dry grass, cow dung, or wood from time to time.
As the original fuel is used up and no more is added, the bonfire would be extinguished due to lack of fuel.
In the same way, there are things that are prone to being grasped. When you concentrate on the drawbacks of these things, your craving ceases.
When craving ceases, grasping ceases. …
That is how this entire mass of suffering ceases.”