2.34. The Sustained Thought (T1670B2.34)

The king asked Nāgasena again, “What is reflection?” Nāgasena replied, “When the mind gives rise to thought, then there is a reflection.”

“How does reflection give rise to investigation?”

“It is like a copper vessel or bronze plate when beaten by a man, it makes a sound. When it is raised up, it still gives out lingering sound. The man is also the same, when the mind is active, then thought arises. When the plate is beaten, it is called reflection, when it gives sound, it is called investigation.”

“Excellent, Nāgasena.”

Nāgasena Bhikṣu Sūtra, translated by Venerable Guang Xing. Buddha’s Light Edition English Sutra Translation Series, 2008. This publication is part of translation program of the Woodenfish Project.

The full text, with detailed notes, textual and historical discussion, and comparison between Pali and Chinese texts, is available for download in two separate files, Translation and Notes.

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Used with kind permission of Buddha’s Light Publishing.

This SuttaCentral edition was prepared by Bhikkhu Sujato.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Bhikkhu Sujato.