Wood Blocks (SN20.8)

Linked Discourses 20.8

1. Similes

Wood Blocks

So I have heard.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof.

There the Buddha addressed the mendicants,

“Mendicants!”

“Venerable sir,” they replied.

The Buddha said this:

“Mendicants, these days the Licchavis live using wood blocks as pillows, and they exercise diligently and keenly.

King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, finds no vulnerability, he’s got no opportunity.¹

But in the future the Licchavis will become delicate, with soft and tender hands and feet.

They’ll sleep on soft beds with down pillows until the sun comes up.

King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, will find a vulnerability and get an opportunity.

These days the mendicants live using wood blocks as pillows, and they meditate diligently and keenly.

Māra the Wicked finds no vulnerability, he’s got no opportunity.

But in the future the mendicants will become delicate, with soft and tender hands and feet.

They’ll sleep on soft beds with down pillows until the sun comes up.

Māra the Wicked will find a vulnerability and get an opportunity.

So you should train like this:

‘We will live using wood blocks as pillows, and we will meditate diligently and keenly.’

That’s how you should train.”