Tipitaka » Sutta
Pitaka » Samyutta Nikaya » Context
of this sutta
- Samyutta Nikaya XXXV.69
- Upasena Sutta
- Upasena
- For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma
Once Ven. Sariputta and Ven. Upasena were
staying near Rajagaha in the Cool Forest, at Snakeshood Grotto.
Then it so happened that a snake fell on Ven. Upasena's body [and bit him]. Then Ven.
Upasena said to the monks, "Quick, friends, lift this body of mine onto a couch and
carry it outside before it is scattered like a fistful of chaff!"
When this was said, Ven. Sariputta said to Ven. Upasena, "But we don't see any
alteration in your body or change in your faculties."
Then Ven. Upasena said, "Quick, friends, lift this body of mine onto a couch and
carry it outside before it is scattered like a fistful of chaff! Friend Sariputta, in
anyone who had the thought, 'I am the eye' or 'The eye is mine,' 'I am the ear' or 'The
ear is mine,' 'I am the nose' or 'The nose is mine,' 'I am the tongue' or 'The tongue is
mine,' 'I am the body or 'The body is mine,' 'I am the intellect' or 'The intellect is
mine': in him there would be an alteration in his body or a change in his faculties. But
as for me, the thought does not occur to me that 'I am the eye' or 'The eye is mine,'...'I
am the tongue' or 'The tongue is mine,'...'I am the intellect' or 'The intellect is mine.'
So what alteration should there be in my body, what change should their be in my
faculties?"
Now, Ven. Upasena's I-making, my-making, & tendencies to conceits had already been
well rooted out for a long time, which is why the thought did not occur to him that
"I am the eye" or "The eye is mine,"..."I am the tongue" or
"The tongue is mine,"..."I am the intellect" or "The intellect is
mine."
Then the monks lifted Ven. Upasena's body on a couch and carried it outside. And Ven.
Upasena's body was scattered right there like a fistful of chaff.