7.
The Discourse on Upasena and the Venomous Snake
69.
On one occasion the Venerable Sāriputta and the Venerable Upasena were dwelling at Rājagaha in the Cool Grove at the Sappasoṇḍika Cave.
Now at that time a venomous snake had fallen on the Venerable Upasena's body.
Then the Venerable Upasena addressed the monks -
"Come, friends, having lifted this body of mine onto a small bed, carry it outside.
Before this body scatters right here;
just as a handful of chaff."
When this was said, the Venerable Sāriputta said this to the Venerable Upasena - "But we do not see any alteration of the Venerable Upasena's body or change of his faculties. And yet the Venerable Upasena says thus - 'Come, friends, having lifted this body of mine onto a small bed, carry it outside. Before this body scatters right here; just as a handful of chaff.'" "For one, friend Sāriputta, to whom it might occur thus - 'I am the eye' or 'the eye is mine', etc. 'I am the tongue' or 'the tongue is mine', 'I am the mind' or 'the mind is mine'. For him, friend Sāriputta, there might be alteration of the body or change of the faculties. But for me, friend Sāriputta, it does not occur thus - 'I am the eye' or 'the eye is mine', etc. 'I am the tongue' or 'the tongue is mine', etc. 'I am the mind' or 'the mind is mine'. So for me, friend Sāriputta, why would there be alteration of the body or change of the faculties!"
"Because indeed for the Venerable Upasena the underlying tendencies to I-making, mine-making, and conceit have been well uprooted for a long time. Therefore for the Venerable Upasena it does not occur thus - 'I am the eye' or 'the eye is mine', etc. 'I am the tongue' or 'the tongue is mine', etc. 'I am the mind' or 'the mind is mine.'" Then those monks, having lifted the Venerable Upasena's body onto a small bed, carried it outside. Then the Venerable Upasena's body scattered right there; just as a handful of chaff. The seventh.