sn.56.32 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Acacia Leaves

“Mendicants, suppose someone were to say:
‘Without truly comprehending the noble truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path, I will completely make an end of suffering.’
That is not possible.
It’s as if someone were to say:
‘I’ll make a basket out of acacia leaves or pine needles or myrobalan leaves, and use it to carry water or a palm frond.’
That is not possible.
In the same way, suppose someone were to say:
‘Without truly comprehending the noble truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path, I will completely make an end of suffering.’
That is not possible.
But suppose someone were to say:
‘After truly comprehending the noble truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path, I will completely make an end of suffering.’
That is possible.
It’s as if someone were to say:
‘I’ll make a basket out of lotus leaves or flame-of-the-forest leaves or camel’s foot creeper leaves, and use it to carry water or a palm frond.’
That is possible.
In the same way, suppose someone were to say:
‘After truly comprehending the noble truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path, I will completely make an end of suffering.’
That is possible.
That’s why you should practice meditation …”