The Confluence of Rivers I

1. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta's grove in Sāvatthī.

2. Bhikkhus, a man comes to the confluence of the rivers such as the Ganges, Yamunā, Aciravathī, Sarabhū and Mahī and takes two or three drops of water. Bhikkhus, where would you find more water is it the two or three drops of water the man has drawn or the water at the confluence of the rivers?”

3. “Venerable sir, indeed there is more water at the confluence of the rivers. The two or three drops of water the man has drawn does not come up to one hundredth portion of the water at the confluence of the, rivers not even the one thousandth portion, and not even the one hundred thousandth portion, compared to the two or three drops of water.”

4. “In the same manner, bhikkhus, the unpleasantness already scattered and exhausted by the noble disciple who has come to righteousness of view, has penetrated the Teaching is very much more and it is only a little that remains to be exhausted, not even the one hundred thousandth portion and certainly not more. The unpleasantness that remains to be exhausted is the unpleasantness of seven lives the maximum.

5. “Thus the realization of the Teaching is very beneficial and very fruitful.”