23.2 A Being

SN 23:2 A Being

Translated from the Pali by John D. Ireland

… The venerable Radha said to the Lord: “’A being’ (satto) ’a being,’ one is called. In what respect, Sir, is one called ’being’?”

“Because of being caught (satto) and held fast (visatto) by that desire, that attachment, that delight, that craving for body … for feeling … for perception … for mental activities … for consciousness, therefore one is called ’a being’ (satto).

“Just as when little boys or girls are playing with mud-pies. As long as they are not rid of attachment to those mud-pies, are not rid of desire, are not rid of affection, thirst, excitement, and craving for them, so long do they delight in them, are amused by them, value, and cherish them. But when those little boys or girls are rid of attachment to those mud-pies, are rid of desire, are rid of affection, thirst, excitement, and craving for them, then with hand and foot they scatter them, destroy them, demolish them, stop playing with them.

“In the same way, Radha, do you scatter body, destroy it, demolish it, stop playing with it, do you practice so as to end craving for it. Do you scatter feeling … perception … mental activities … consciousness, destroy it, demolish it, stop playing with it, do you practice so as to end craving for it.

“Indeed, Radha, the ending of craving is Nibbana.”