A Bungalow

Linked Discourses 56.44

5. A Cliff

A Bungalow

“Mendicants, suppose someone were to say:

‘Without truly comprehending the noble truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path, I will completely make an end of suffering.’

That is not possible.

It’s as if someone were to say:

‘Before the lower story of a bungalow is built, I will hoist up the upper story.’

That is not possible.

In the same way, suppose someone were to say:

‘Without truly comprehending the noble truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path, I will completely make an end of suffering.’

That is not possible.

But suppose someone were to say:

‘After truly comprehending the noble truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path, I will completely make an end of suffering.’

That is possible.

It’s as if someone were to say:

‘After the lower story of a bungalow is built, I will hoist up the upper story.’

That is possible.

In the same way, suppose someone were to say:

‘After truly comprehending the noble truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path, I will completely make an end of suffering.’

That is possible.

That’s why you should practice meditation …”