Clouds (2nd) (AN4.102)

Numbered Discourses 4.102

11. Clouds

Clouds (2nd)

“Mendicants, there are these four kinds of clouds.

What four?

One thunders but doesn’t rain,

one rains but doesn’t thunder,

one neither thunders nor rains, and

one both rains and thunders.

These are the four kinds of clouds.

In the same way, these four individuals similar to clouds are found in the world.

What four?

One thunders but doesn’t rain,

one rains but doesn’t thunder,

one neither thunders nor rains, and

one both rains and thunders.

And how does an individual thunder but not rain?

It’s when an individual memorizes the teaching—

statements, mixed prose & verse, discussions, verses, inspired exclamations, legends, stories of past lives, amazing stories, and elaborations.

But they don’t truly understand: ‘This is suffering’ … ‘This is the origin of suffering’ … ‘This is the cessation of suffering’ … ‘This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering’.

That’s how an individual thunders but doesn’t rain.

That individual is like a cloud that thunders but doesn’t rain, I say.

And how does an individual rain but not thunder?

It’s when an individual doesn’t memorize the teaching …

But they truly understand: ‘This is suffering’ …

And how does an individual neither thunder nor rain?

It’s when an individual doesn’t memorize the teaching …

Nor do they truly understand: ‘This is suffering’ …

And how does an individual both thunder and rain?

It’s when an individual memorizes the teaching …

And they truly understand: ‘This is suffering’ …

These four individuals similar to clouds are found in the world.”