Puggala Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

At one time the Blessed One was living among the Gijjha peaks in Rajagaha.

The Blessed One addressed the monks from there, saying "Monks," Those monks replied, "Yes, venerable sir."

And the Blessed One said: "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, the heap of bones, the skeletons of a single person running from one existence to the other throughout a world cycle would be like the Vepulla rock if there was someone to collect them and if the collection was not destroyed.

"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."

The Teacher further said:

"The Great Sages say The collection of bones of a single person, Throughout a world cycle, was as big as The huge Vepulla rock. Vepulla, is north of the Gijjha peaks, In the cavity of Magadha When the four noble truths are seen With right wisdom as unpleasantness, The arising of unpleasantness, The ending of unpleasantness, And the noble eightfold path for the ending of unpleasantness He limits his births to seven times the most And ending all unpleasantness cuts all bonds."