6.
The Discourse on the Archer
228.
He was dwelling at Sāvatthī, etc.
"Just as, monks, four archers with strong bows, well-trained, practised, skilled in archery, might stand facing the four directions.
Then a man might come along -
'I will catch and bring back the arrows shot by these four archers with strong bows, well-trained, practised, skilled in archery, in the four directions, before they reach the ground.'
What do you think, monks, would it be fitting to say 'a swift man endowed with supreme swiftness'?"
"If, venerable sir, he were to catch and bring back an arrow shot by even one archer with a strong bow, well-trained, practised, skilled in archery, before it reaches the ground - it would be fitting to say 'a swift man endowed with supreme swiftness,' what then to say of four archers with strong bows, well-trained, practised, skilled in archery?"
"And, monks, as is that man's swiftness, and as is the swiftness of the moon and sun, swifter than that. And, monks, as is that man's swiftness, and as is the swiftness of the moon and sun, and as is the swiftness of those deities who run before the moon and sun, swifter than that do the vital principles become exhausted. Therefore, monks, you should train thus - 'We will dwell diligent.' Thus indeed, monks, should you train." The sixth.