Seven Kinds of People on the Banks of the Ganges

The Buddha said: "Well said, well said, Oh good man! Along the Ganges live seven kinds of people. They fear the thieves because now they are bathing. Or the case might be as with those who enter the river to pick flowers. The first person drowned as the waters came. The second person sinks amid the waters, but it comes up and sinks again into water. Why? Because his body is powerful and strong, and it is able to climb. But, the one who has not learnt to float, comes up, and then sinks again. The third (kind) comes up after sinking. Coming up, it does not sink again. Why not? Because his body is heavy, so it sinks, but as his power is great, it comes up. Having already learnt to float, it stays up. The fourth person, plunging into water, comes up again. Coming up, it looks around. Why? As it is heavy, it sinks, but as has great power, it comes up; as it has learnt to float, it stays up, not knowing where to get out, it looks around. The fifth person, entering the water, sinks and, having sunk, comes up. Having come up, it looks around, having looked, it goes. Why? Because it fears. The sixth person goes into the water, comes up, and stays in shallow waters. Why? Because it sees the thieves who are nearby and [also] far off. The seventh person is already standing on the other bank and is on a great mountain. It fears nothing, out of reach of thieves, it is blessed with great bliss."

Read more on the Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 39, on Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 7.

seven kinds of people on the banks of the ganges.mp3