The Root of All Things (Mulapariyaya Sutta)

1Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was staying at Ukkattha, in the Subhaga grove at the root of a royal sala tree.

2There the Blessed One addressed the monks: 'Monks, I will teach you the root of all things. Listen and attend carefully. I will speak.'

3An uninstructed ordinary person perceives earth as earth. Having perceived earth as earth, he conceives himself as earth, he conceives himself in earth, he conceives himself apart from earth.

4He perceives water as water, fire as fire, air as air, beings as beings, gods as gods, the All as the All, Nibbana as Nibbana.

5A well-instructed noble disciple directly knows earth as earth. Having directly known earth as earth, he does not conceive himself as earth.

6He directly knows Nibbana as Nibbana. Having directly known Nibbana as Nibbana, he does not conceive himself as Nibbana.

7Why is that? Because he has comprehended it, I say. He has understood the origin, the disappearance, the gratification, the danger, and the escape.