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Udana » Context of this sutta
- Udana VII.9
- Udapana Sutta
- The Well
- For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma
I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was wandering among the Mallans, together with a large community of monks, and came to a
brahmin village of the Mallans name Thuna. The brahmin householders of
Thuna heard that "Gotama the Sakyan contemplative, gone forth from the Sakyan clan,
is wandering among the Mallans together with a large community of monks, and has arrived
at Thuna." So they filled the well all the way to the brim with grass and chaff,
[thinking], "Don't let these shaven-headed contemplatives draw drinking water."
Then the Blessed One came down from the road, went to a certain tree, and on arrival
sat down on a seat made ready. As he sat down, he said to Ven. Ananda:
"Come, Ananda, get me some drinking water from that well."
When this was said, Ven. Ananda replied, "Just now the brahmin householders of
Thuna filled that well all the way to the brim with grass and chaff, [thinking], 'Don't
let these shaven-headed contemplatives draw drinking water.'"
A second time, the Blessed One said to Ven. Ananda: "Come, Ananda, get me some
drinking water from that well."
A second time, Ven. Ananda replied, "Just now the brahmin householders of Thuna
filled that well all the way to the brim with grass and chaff, [thinking], 'Don't let
these shaven-headed contemplatives draw drinking water.'"
A third time, the Blessed One said to Ven. Ananda: "Come, Ananda, get me some
drinking water from that well."
"As you say, lord," Ven. Ananda replied and, taking a bowl, went to the well.
As he was approaching the well, it expelled all the grass and chaff from its mouth and
stood filled to the brim -- streaming, as it were -- with clear, clean, radiant water. The
thought occurred to Ven. Ananda, "Isn't it amazing! Isn't it awesome! How great the
Tathagata's power! How great his might! While I was approaching the well, it expelled all
the grass and chaff from its mouth and stood filled to the brim -- streaming, as it were
-- with clear, clean, radiant water."
Taking drinking water in his bowl, he went to the Blessed One and on arrival said,
"How amazing, lord! How awesome! How great the Tathagata's power! How great his
might! While I was approaching the well, it expelled all the grass and chaff from its
mouth and stood filled to the brim -- streaming, as it were -- with clear, clean, radiant
water. Drink this water, O Blessed One! Drink this water, O One-Well-Gone!"
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion
exclaimed:
What's the need for a well
if water is everywhere?
Having cut craving
by the root,
One would go about searching for what?