Tipitaka >> Sutta Pitaka >> Samyutta Nikaya >> Tinakattham 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.
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.
"A man who would collect all the grass, sticks and branches in the peninsula of India would make them into four inch pieces to represent his train of mothers, a piece for his mother, another for his mother's mother and so on. Very soon the collection of grass, sticks and branches cut into four inch bits would diminish and finish but not the representation of the mothers.
"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.
"Thus, monks, you have suffered sharp unpleasantness, severe destruction and filled up cemeteries.
"Monks, it is suitable that you should turn away from all determinations, fade and be released from them."