6.
The Second Discourse on the Great Tree
56.
He was dwelling at Sāvatthī, etc.
"Just as, monks, a great tree.
Whatever roots of it go downwards, and whatever go sideways, all those bring nutriment upwards.
Thus indeed, monks, that great tree, with that nutriment, with that fuel, would remain for a long time, for a long duration.
So too, monks, for one dwelling observing gratification in phenomena subject to clinging, craving increases.
With craving as condition, clinging etc.
Thus is the origin of this whole mass of suffering."
"Just as, monks, a great tree. Then a man might come along having taken a spade and basket. He might cut that tree at the root, having cut the root he might dig around it, having dug around it he might pull out the roots, etc. Or let it be carried away by a swift-flowing river. Thus indeed, monks, that great tree would be with its root cut off, made like a palm stump, brought to obliteration, subject to non-arising in the future. So too, monks, for one dwelling observing danger in phenomena subject to clinging, craving ceases. From the cessation of craving comes the cessation of clinging, etc. thus is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering." The sixth.