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### Samyutta Nikaya XXXVI.4

# Patala Sutta

# The Bottomless Chasm

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
For free distribution only.

Read an alternate translation by Nyanaponika Thera

"Monks, when an uninstructed run-of-the-mill person makes the statement, 'There is a bottomless chasm in the ocean,' he is talking about something that doesn't exist, that can't be found. The word 'bottomless chasm' is actually a designation for painful bodily feeling.

"When an uninstructed run-of-the-mill person is touched by a painful bodily feeling, he sorrows, grieves, & laments, beats his breast, becomes distraught. This is called an uninstructed run-of-the-mill person who has not risen up out of the bottomless chasm, who has not gained a foothold.

"When a well-instructed disciple of the noble ones is touched by a painful bodily feeling, he does not sorrow, grieve, or lament, does not beat his breast or become distraught. This is called a well-instructed disciple of the noble ones who has risen up out of the bottomless chasm, whose foothold is gained."

> Whoever can't endure them
> once they've arisen --
> painful bodily feelings
> that could kill living beings --
> who trembles at their touch,
> who cries & wails,
> a weakling with no resiliance:
> he hasn't risen up
> out of the bottomless chasm
> or even gained
> a foothold.

> Whoever endures them
> once they've arisen --
> painful bodily feelings
> that could kill living beings --
> who doesn't tremble at their touch:
> he's risen up
> out of the bottomless chasm,
> his foothold is gained.

Revised: Wed 16 May 2001