2.

Connected Discourses on Full Realization

1.

Commentary on the Discourse on the Fingertip

74. In the first discourse of the Abhisamayasaṃyutta, "on his fingernail" means at the tip of the nail, freed from the place of flesh. The fingernail tip of worldly persons can be large, but the Teacher's was subtle, like the tip of a red waterlily petal. But how did the soil remain established here? By the power of determination. For it was established there by the power of determination by the Blessed One who wished to make the meaning known. "A hundredth fraction" means having divided the soil of the great earth into a hundred portions, one portion from that. In the remaining cases too, the same method applies. "One who has fully realised" means of one who stands having fully realised the noble truths by wisdom. "Compared with the former mass of suffering that has been exhausted and consumed" means comparing with the mass of suffering first stated thus: "this indeed is more suffering, that is to say, what has been exhausted" - the meaning is that by knowledge, having placed that near to it, it is being examined. But which here is called the former suffering? That which has been exhausted. But what has been exhausted? That which would arise because of the non-development of the first path. But compared with what? Whatever would arise in the seven individual existences, beginning with the eighth conception in the realm of misery, and anywhere whatsoever - all that should be understood as exhausted. "Seven times" means seven occasions, the meaning is in seven individual existences. "At the utmost" shows that this is the highest measure for him. "Of great benefit" means producing great benefit. The first.

2.

Commentary on the Pond Discourse

75. In the second, "pond" means a reservoir. "In depth" means in deepness. "Filled to the brim" means level with the rim. "So that a crow could drink from it" means it is possible for a crow standing on the bank to drink by merely lowering its beak. The second.

3.

Commentary on the Confluence of Waters Discourse and Others

76-77. In the third, "where these" means these in whatever place of confluence. "Flow together" means having met together, they flow. "Meet" means they come together. "Two or" with "or" means two or three. "Drops of water" means water drops. "Water at the confluence" means water at the place where it is mixed together with other rivers. The fourth is of clear meaning only. The third and fourth.

5.

Commentary on the Earth Discourse and Others

78-84. In the fifth, "of the great earth" means having extracted from the great earth within the world-circle. "The size of jujube stones" means the measure of board-seeds. "Balls" means clay balls. "Would place down" means would place in one spot. In the sixth and so on, the meaning should be understood by the very method already stated. But at the conclusion, "the achievement of heterodox ascetics, brahmins, and wandering ascetics" means the entire achievement of virtues by outsiders does not amount to even a hundredth fraction, a thousandth fraction, or a hundred-thousandth fraction of the virtues achieved by the first path. The fifth and so on.

The commentary on the Abhisamaya Connected Discourses is concluded.