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The Eight Wonders of the Ocean and the Dhamma

Aṭṭha acchariyā abbhutā dhammā

Eight qualities of the great ocean the Buddha compared to his Dhamma and discipline — gradually deepening, never overflowing its shore, casting out corpses, having a single taste — a picture of the whole teaching in one simile.

8 points

In the Uposatha Sutta of the Udāna and the Pātimokkhaṭṭhapana Khandhaka of the Vinaya, on one observance day the Buddha sat silent late into the night without reciting the Pātimokkha, because an immoral monk was sitting in the assembly. Mahāmoggallāna looked, found that monk and led him out.

The Buddha then taught that the great ocean has eight wonderful qualities in which the asuras delight, and that this Dhamma and discipline likewise has eight wonderful qualities in which monks delight, comparing them one by one.

  1. 1

    Gradually sloping — gradual training Anupubbaninno

    The ocean slopes away gradually, not dropping off abruptly. So too this Dhamma and discipline has gradual training, gradual practice and gradual progress, not an immediate penetration to arahantship.

    Applying it in daily life

    No need to rush into the depths. Start with what you can do today and add one step at a time. Read alongside "The Seven Purifications".

  2. 2

    Not overflowing its shore — disciples keep the training rules Ṭhitadhammo na velaṃ ativattati

    The ocean doesn't overflow its shore. So too disciples don't transgress the training rules laid down, even for the sake of their lives.

    Applying it in daily life

    Precepts are the shoreline of life, keeping desire from flooding over and destroying what's around it.

  3. 3

    Not keeping corpses — the Saṅgha doesn't live with the immoral Na matena kuṇapena saṃvasati

    The ocean always washes corpses ashore. So too the Saṅgha doesn't dwell with an immoral person; though sitting amid the Saṅgha, they are far from it.

    Applying it in daily life

    A good community needs ways to address wrongdoing, not let it slide out of awkwardness.

  4. 4

    Rivers lose their names — castes lose meaning on going forth Jahanti purimāni nāmagottāni

    Great rivers entering the ocean give up their former names and are called simply the ocean. So too the four castes, going forth in this Dhamma and discipline, give up former names and clans and are called simply ascetics, sons of the Sakyan.

    Applying it in daily life

    In Dhamma, anyone's background doesn't matter. Read alongside "The Outcast Discourse".

  5. 5

    Neither diminishing nor filling — nor does nibbāna Na nibbānadhātuyā ūnattaṃ vā pūrattaṃ vā

    Though all rivers flow in and rain falls, the ocean shows no decrease or increase. So too, though many attain final nibbāna, the nibbāna element shows no decrease or increase.

    Applying it in daily life

    This path has no quota. Others' progress doesn't reduce your place in it, so you can rejoice fully in others' progress.

  6. 6

    One taste, salt — one taste, liberation Ekaraso vimuttiraso

    The ocean has one taste, the taste of salt. So too this Dhamma and discipline has one taste, the taste of liberation.

    Applying it in daily life

    Use this to check teachings you hear: do they lead to freedom from defilements, or somewhere else, like luck or fame?

  7. 7

    Many treasures — the thirty-seven aids to awakening Bahuratano anekaratano

    The ocean holds many treasures — pearls, gems, beryl. So too this Dhamma and discipline holds many treasures: the four foundations of mindfulness, four right efforts, four bases of power, five faculties, five powers, seven factors of awakening and the noble eightfold path.

    Applying it in daily life

    If you don't know what to study, use "The Thirty-Seven Factors of Awakening" as a map.

  8. 8

    Home of great beings — home of noble ones Mahataṃ bhūtānaṃ āvāso

    The ocean is home to great beings. So too this Dhamma and discipline is home to noble ones, from stream-enterers to arahants.

    Applying it in daily life

    This path has brought many ordinary people to freedom from suffering. See "The Four Levels of Noble Persons".

Try it in daily life

This simile gives an easy overview for anyone newly interested in Buddhism: the path deepens gradually without a sudden drop, has clear boundaries, welcomes everyone regardless of birth, and every teaching leads to one taste — liberation.

The point to use right away is the first: if Dhamma feels too hard, start in the shallows — the five precepts, giving and small daily mind training — and depth will come gradually.

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