Numbered Discourses 3.132
- Kusinārā
Etchings
“Mendicants, these three individuals are found in the world.
What three?
An individual like a line drawn in stone, an individual like a line drawn in sand, and an individual like a line drawn in water.
And who is the individual like a line drawn in stone?
It’s an individual who is often angry,
and their anger lingers for a long time.
It’s like a line drawn in stone, which isn’t quickly worn away by wind and water, but lasts for a long time.
In the same way, an individual is often angry,
and their anger lingers for a long time.
This is called an individual like a line drawn in stone.
And who is the individual like a line drawn in sand?
It’s an individual who is often angry,
but their anger doesn’t linger long.
It’s like a line drawn in sand, which is quickly worn away by wind and water, and doesn’t last long.
In the same way, an individual is often angry,
but their anger doesn’t linger long.
This is called an individual like a line drawn in sand.
And who is the individual like a line drawn in water?
It’s an individual who, though spoken to by someone in a rough, harsh, and disagreeable manner, still stays in touch, interacts with, and greets them.
It’s like a line drawn in water, which vanishes right away, and doesn’t last long.
In the same way, an individual, though spoken to by someone in a rough, harsh, and disagreeable manner, still stays in touch, interacts with, and greets them.
This is called an individual like a line drawn in water.
These are the three individuals found in the world.”