MN22. Simile of the Snake - Alagaddūpama Sutta

This episode is the 22nd sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Alagaddūpama sutta which is known as the “simile of the snake”. In this teaching one of the monks denies that breaking the rules of conduct is really a problem. The monks go to great lengths to persuade him to change his views. Then the Buddha compares someone who understands only the letter of the teachings to someone who grabs a snake by the tail, and also invokes the famous simile of the raft. This translation of the Alagaddūpama sutta is by Bhikkhu Sujato and was sourced from Sutta Central. Click here if you'd like to find out more about what is on offer on the Buddha's Wisdom Podcast or to choose your favourite method to subscribe to the podcast (on the right hand side of the linked page). If you'd like to support the producer and narrator of the Buddha's Wisdom Podcast to cover costs of production and distribution donate via the Ko-fi.com creators platform click here. Or you can become are regular supporter via Patreon.