Nakula’s Father (SN35.131)

Linked Discourses 35.131

13. Householders

Nakula’s Father

At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Bhaggas at Crocodile’s Bellow, in the deer park at Bhesakaḷā’s Wood.

Then the householder Nakula’s father went up to the Buddha … and asked him,

“What is the cause, sir, what is the reason why some sentient beings are not fully extinguished in this very life?

What is the cause, sir, what is the reason why some sentient beings are fully extinguished in this very life?”¹

“Householder, there are sights known by the eye, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

If a mendicant approves, welcomes, and keeps clinging to them,

their consciousness has that as support and fuel for grasping.

A mendicant with fuel for grasping does not become extinguished.

There are sounds … smells … tastes … touches …

ideas known by the mind, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

If a mendicant approves, welcomes, and keeps clinging to them,

their consciousness has that as support and fuel for grasping.

A mendicant with fuel for grasping does not become extinguished.

That’s the cause, that’s the reason why some sentient beings are not fully extinguished in this very life.

There are sights known by the eye, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

If a mendicant doesn’t approve, welcome, and keep clinging to them,

their consciousness doesn’t have that as support and fuel for grasping.

A mendicant free of grasping becomes extinguished.

There are sounds … smells … tastes … touches …

ideas known by the mind, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

If a mendicant doesn’t approve, welcome, and keep clinging to them,

their consciousness doesn’t have that as support and fuel for grasping.

A mendicant free of grasping becomes extinguished.

That’s the cause, that’s the reason why some sentient beings are fully extinguished in this very life.”