Itivuttaka 78

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Adapted From the Translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu(Geoffrey DeGraff)

Compared with the Pali Tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org

78. Dhatusosamsandanasuttam (Associating According to Similar Properties)

This was said by the Lord Buddha(Bhagavata), said by the Arahant, so I have heard:

“Monks, it’s in accordance with their properties that beings come together & associate with one another. Beings of low dispositions come together & associate with beings of low dispositions. Beings of admirable dispositions come together & associate with beings of admirable dispositions. In the past, it was in accordance with their properties that beings came together & associated with one another.In the future, it will be in accordance with their properties that beings will come together & associate with one another.… And now at present, it’s in accordance with their properties that beings come together & associate with one another. Beings of low dispositions come together & associate with beings of low dispositions. Beings of admirable dispositions come together & associate with beings of admirable dispositions.”

The underbrush born of association is cut away by non-association. Just as one riding a small wooden plank would sink in the great sea, so does even one of right living sink, associating with the lazy. So avoid the lazy, those with low persistence. Live with the noble ones— secluded, resolute, absorbed in jhana(trance), their persistence constantly aroused <p style="text-align:center;">the wise.

See also: SN 45:2