Mangoes (AN4.105)

Numbered Discourses 4.105

11. Clouds

Mangoes

“Mendicants, there are these four mangoes.

What four?

One is unripe but seems ripe,

one is ripe but seems unripe,

one is unripe and seems unripe, and

one is ripe and seems ripe.

These are the four mangoes.

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

What four?

One is unripe but seems ripe,

one is ripe but seems unripe,

one is unripe and seems unripe, and

one is ripe and seems ripe.

And how is an individual unripe but seems ripe?

It’s when an individual is impressive when going out and coming back, when looking ahead and aside, when bending and extending the limbs, and when bearing the outer robe, bowl and robes.

But they don’t really 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 is unripe but seems ripe.

That individual is like a mango that’s unripe but seems ripe, I say.

And how is an individual ripe but seems unripe?

It’s when an individual is not impressive …

But they really understand: ‘This is suffering’ …

And how is an individual unripe and seems unripe?

It’s when an individual is not impressive …

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

And how is an individual ripe and seems ripe?

It’s when an individual is impressive …

And they really understand: ‘This is suffering’ …

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