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This was said by the Lord...
"Suppose, bhikkhus, a man was
being borne along by the current of a river that seemed pleasant and agreeable.
But upon seeing him, a keen-sighted man standing on the bank would call out to
him: 'Hey, good man! Although you are being borne along by the current of a
river that seems pleasant and agreeable, lower down there is a pool with
turbulent waves and swirling eddies, with monsters and demons. On reaching that
pool you will die or suffer close to death.' Then, bhikkhus, upon hearing the
words of that person, that man would struggle against the current with hands
and feet.
"I have made use of this
simile, bhikkhus, to illustrate the meaning. And this is the meaning here: 'The
current of the river' is a synonym for craving. 'Seeming pleasant and
agreeable' is a synonym for the six internal sense-bases. 'The pool lower down'
is a synonym for the five lower fetters. 'Turbulent waves' is a synonym for
anger and frustration. 'Swirling eddies' is a synonym for the five strands of sensual
pleasure. 'Monsters and demons' is a synonym for womenfolk. 'Against the
current' is a synonym for renunciation. 'Struggling with hands and feet' is a
synonym for instigating energy. 'The keen-sighted man standing on the bank' is
a synonym for the Tathagata, the Arahant, the Fully Enlightened One."
Desiring future security from
bondage
One should abandon sensual desire
However painful this may be.
Rightly comprehending with wisdom,
Possessing a mind that is well released,
One may reach freedom step by step.
One who is a master of knowledge,
Who has lived the holy life,
Is called one gone to the world's end,
One who has reached the further shore.
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