Khiram Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anàthapiõóika in Jeta's grove in Sàvatthi.

"Monks, without an end is the train of existence, a beginning cannot be pointed out of beings enveloped in ignorance and bound by craving, running from one existence to another.

"Monks, what do you think is more, the milk you have drunk from the mother, while running from one birth to the other in this long line of existences, or the water in the four great oceans?"

"Venerable sir, as the Blessed One has taught us, the milk we have drunk from the mother, while running from one birth to the other in this long line of existences, is more than the water in the four great oceans."

"Excellent! monks, you know the Teaching as taught by me.

"Indeed monks, the milk you have drunk from the mother, while running from one birth to the other in this long line of existences is much more than the water in the four great oceans.

"What is the reason? Monks, without an end is the train of existence, a beginning cannot be pointed out of beings enveloped in ignorance and bound by craving, running from one existence to another.

"Monks, it is suitable that you should turn away from all determinations, fade and be released from them."