11.
The Discourse on the Log of Wood
41.
Thus have I heard.
On one occasion the venerable Sāriputta was dwelling at Rājagaha on the Mount Vulture Peak.
Then the venerable Sāriputta, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking his bowl and robe, descending from the Mount Vulture Peak together with several monks, saw in a certain region a great log of wood.
Having seen, he addressed the monks -
"Do you see, friends, that great log of wood?"
"Yes, friend."
"If he wishes, friends, a monk with supernormal power who has attained mastery of mind could resolve upon that log of wood as only earth. What is the reason for this? There is, friends, in that log of wood the solid element, in dependence on which a monk with supernormal power who has attained mastery of mind could resolve upon that log of wood as only earth. If he wishes, friends, a monk with supernormal power who has attained mastery of mind could resolve upon that log of wood as only water, etc. could resolve upon it as only fire, could resolve upon it as only air, could resolve upon it as only beautiful, could resolve upon it as only ugly. What is the reason for this? There is, friends, in that log of wood the ugly element, in dependence on which a monk with supernormal power who has attained mastery of mind could resolve upon that log of wood as only ugly." The eleventh.