2.72. Ocean (T1670B2.72)

The king asked Nāgasena again, “There is the expression ‘ocean’. Is it because of the water or other reasons that it is called the ‘ocean’?”

Nāgasena replied, “It is called ocean by men, because there is just as much salt as water, and just as much water as salt.”

“Why is the ocean all of one taste, the taste of salt?”

“The water in the ocean is so salty because it has been so for a very long time, and because fishes, turtles and other insects make it dirty.”

“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.