SN 17.4 Dīghalomika Sutta. A Fleecy Sheep.

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mikenz66
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SN 17.4 Dīghalomika Sutta. A Fleecy Sheep.

Post by mikenz66 »

SN 17.4 Dīghalomika Sutta. A Fleecy Sheep.
Translated by Bhante Sujato


Material possessions, honor, and praise are terrible things, which snare you like a long-haired goat in a briar patch.


https://suttacentral.net/sn17.4

At Sāvatthī. “Possessions, honor, and popularity are brutal , bitter, and harsh. They’re an obstacle to reaching the supreme sanctuary. Suppose a fleecy sheep was to enter a briar patch. She’d get caught, snagged, and trapped at every turn, coming to ruin. In the same way, take a certain mendicant whose mind is overcome and overwhelmed by possessions, honor, and popularity. They robe up in the morning and, taking their bowl and robe, enter the village or town for alms. They get caught, snagged, and trapped at every turn, coming to ruin. That’s how brutal, bitter, and harsh are possessions, honor, and popularity. They’re an obstacle to reaching the supreme sanctuary. So you should train like this: ‘We will give up arisen possessions, honor, and popularity, and we won’t let them occupy our minds.’ That’s how you should train.””
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mikenz66
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Re: SN 17.4 Dīghalomika Sutta. A Fleecy Sheep.

Post by mikenz66 »

I couldn't resist the title of this sutta, though it's worth reading through the entire Lābhasakkāra Saṃyutta
https://suttacentral.net/sn17 for comparisons of material possessions with hooks, harpoons, wind, women, etc...

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Mike
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Re: SN 17.4 Dīghalomika Sutta. A Fleecy Sheep.

Post by User1249x »

Perception of impermanence;
Bhikkhus, to the bhikkhu practicing the perception of impermanence and abiding much in it, gain, honour and fame keeps away, it shrinks and rolls away. The mind stretches out and gets established in equanimity or loathing
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mikenz66
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Re: SN 17.4 Dīghalomika Sutta. A Fleecy Sheep.

Post by mikenz66 »

Thanks. Is that from this sutta? AN 7.49?

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Mike
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Re: SN 17.4 Dīghalomika Sutta. A Fleecy Sheep.

Post by User1249x »

Yes
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Akashad
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Re: SN 17.4 Dīghalomika Sutta. A Fleecy Sheep.

Post by Akashad »

Yes,it reminds me of the stories of rich and famous people who are now poor.We tend to think our circumstances are permanent..that's whats so sad about the whole thing.Thinking we are what we are now.

Often when get material things,possession and praise we cling to it and when it changes like it always does we get hurt...Equanimity is the way to go.Its the only peace.
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