Saṁyutta Nikāya 15.3 1.

Assu Sutta

Paṭhamavagga Assusutta Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.

The Tathāgata was residing at Sāvatthī.

“Anamataggoyaṁ, bhikkhave, saṁsāro.

Disciples, this cycle of rebirths is without a discernible beginning.

Pubbā koṭi na paññāyati avijjānīvaraṇānaṁ sattānaṁ taṇhāsaṁyojanānaṁ sandhāvataṁ saṁsarataṁ.

No first point is found of beings roaming and wandering on, hindered by ignorance and fettered by craving.

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ, yaṁ vā vo iminā dīghena addhunā sandhāvataṁ saṁsarataṁ amanāpasampayogā manāpavippayogā kandantānaṁ rodantānaṁ assu passannaṁ paggharitaṁ, yaṁ vā catūsu mahāsamuddesu udakan”ti?

What do you think which is greater: the tears you have shed while roaming and wandering on this long journey: crying and weeping from being united with the disagreeable and separated from the agreeable: or the water in the four great oceans?

“Yathā kho mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāma, etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ yaṁ no iminā dīghena addhunā sandhāvataṁ saṁsarataṁ amanāpasampayogā manāpavippayogā kandantānaṁ rodantānaṁ assu passannaṁ paggharitaṁ, na tveva catūsu mahāsamuddesu udakan”ti.

As we know the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, venerable sir, the tears we have shed while roaming and wandering on this long journey: crying and weeping from being united with the disagreeable and separated from the agreeable: are indeed greater than the water in the four great oceans.

“Sādhu sādhu, bhikkhave, sādhu kho me tumhe, bhikkhave, evaṁ dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānātha.

Good, good, disciples! It is good that you know the Dhamma taught by me in this way.

Etadeva, bhikkhave, bahutaraṁ yaṁ vo iminā dīghena addhunā sandhāvataṁ saṁsarataṁ amanāpasampayogā manāpavippayogā kandantānaṁ rodantānaṁ assu passannaṁ paggharitaṁ, na tveva catūsu mahāsamuddesu udakaṁ.

The tears you have shed while roaming and wandering on this long journey: crying and weeping from being united with the disagreeable and separated from the agreeable: are indeed greater than the water in the four great oceans.

Dīgharattaṁ vo, bhikkhave, mātumaraṇaṁ paccanubhūtaṁ; tesaṁ vo mātumaraṇaṁ paccanubhontānaṁ amanāpasampayogā manāpavippayogā kandantānaṁ rodantānaṁ assu passannaṁ paggharitaṁ, na tveva catūsu mahāsamuddesu udakaṁ. Dīgharattaṁ vo, bhikkhave, pitumaraṇaṁ paccanubhūtaṁ …pe… bhātumaraṇaṁ paccanubhūtaṁ … bhaginimaraṇaṁ paccanubhūtaṁ …

For a long time you have experienced the death of a mother; for a long time, the death of a father; for a long time, the death of a brother; for a long time, the death of a sister; for a long time, the death of a son; for a long time, the death of a daughter; for a long time, the loss of relatives; for a long time, the loss of wealth; for a long time, the loss through illness.

puttamaraṇaṁ paccanubhūtaṁ … dhītumaraṇaṁ paccanubhūtaṁ … ñātibyasanaṁ paccanubhūtaṁ … bhogabyasanaṁ paccanubhūtaṁ.

While experiencing these losses, you have shed more tears than there is water in the four great oceans.

Dīgharattaṁ vo, bhikkhave, rogabyasanaṁ paccanubhūtaṁ, tesaṁ vo rogabyasanaṁ paccanubhontānaṁ amanāpasampayogā manāpavippayogā kandantānaṁ rodantānaṁ assu passannaṁ paggharitaṁ, na tveva catūsu mahāsamuddesu udakaṁ. Taṁ kissa hetu?

Why is that?

Anamataggoyaṁ, bhikkhave, saṁsāro …pe…

Because this cycle of rebirths is without a discernible beginning.

yāvañcidaṁ, bhikkhave, alameva sabbasaṅkhāresu nibbindituṁ, alaṁ virajjituṁ, alaṁ vimuccitun”ti. Tatiyaṁ.

Therefore it is enough to become disenchanted with all formations, enough to become dispassionate, enough to be liberated.