“Mendicants, suppose you say: “Yo, bhikkhave, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘No matter how this person performs a deed, they experience it the same way.’ This being so, the spiritual life could not be lived, and there’d be no chance of making a complete end of suffering. ‘yathā yathāyaṁ puriso kammaṁ karoti tathā tathā taṁ paṭisaṁvediyatī’ti, evaṁ santaṁ, bhikkhave, brahmacariyavāso na hoti, okāso na paññāyati sammā dukkhassa antakiriyāya.

Suppose you say: Yo ca kho, bhikkhave, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘No matter how this person performs a deed, they experience the result as it should be experienced.’ This being so, the spiritual life can be lived, and there is a chance of making a complete end of suffering. ‘yathā yathā vedanīyaṁ ayaṁ puriso kammaṁ karoti tathā tathāssa vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvediyatī’ti, evaṁ santaṁ, bhikkhave, brahmacariyavāso hoti, okāso paññāyati sammā dukkhassa antakiriyāya.

Take the case of the individual who does a trivial bad deed, but it lands them in hell. Idha, bhikkhave, ekaccassa puggalassa appamattakampi pāpakammaṁ kataṁ tamenaṁ nirayaṁ upaneti. Meanwhile, another individual does the same trivial bad deed, but experiences it in this life, so that not even a little remains, let alone a lot. Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekaccassa puggalassa tādisaṁyeva appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ diṭṭhadhammavedanīyaṁ hoti, nāṇupi khāyati, kiṁ bahudeva.

What kind of individual does a trivial bad deed, but it lands them in hell? Kathaṁrūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa appamattakampi pāpakammaṁ kataṁ tamenaṁ nirayaṁ upaneti? An individual who hasn’t developed their physical endurance, ethics, mind, or wisdom. They’re small-minded and mean-spirited, living in suffering. Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo abhāvitakāyo hoti abhāvitasīlo abhāvitacitto abhāvitapañño paritto appātumo appadukkhavihārī. That kind of individual does a trivial bad deed, but it lands them in hell. Evarūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa appamattakampi pāpakammaṁ kataṁ tamenaṁ nirayaṁ upaneti.

What kind of individual does the same trivial bad deed, but experiences it in this life, so that not even a little remains, let alone a lot? Kathaṁrūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa tādisaṁyeva appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ diṭṭhadhammavedanīyaṁ hoti, nāṇupi khāyati, kiṁ bahudeva? An individual who has developed their physical endurance, ethics, mind, and wisdom. They’re not small-minded, but are big-hearted, meditating on the immeasurables. Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo bhāvitakāyo hoti bhāvitasīlo bhāvitacitto bhāvitapañño aparitto mahatto appamāṇavihārī. That kind of individual does the same trivial bad deed, but experiences it in this life, so that not even a little remains, let alone a lot. Evarūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa tādisaṁyeva appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ diṭṭhadhammavedanīyaṁ hoti, nāṇupi khāyati, kiṁ bahudeva.

Suppose a person was to drop a lump of salt into a mug of water. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso loṇakapallaṁ paritte udakamallake pakkhipeyya. What do you think, mendicants? Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, Would that mug of water become salty and undrinkable?” api nu taṁ parittaṁ udakaṁ amunā loṇakapallena loṇaṁ assa apeyyan”ti?

“Yes, sir. “Evaṁ, bhante”. Why is that? “Taṁ kissa hetu”? Because there is only a little water in the bowl.” “Aduñhi, bhante, parittaṁ udakakapallake udakaṁ, taṁ amunā loṇakapallena loṇaṁ assa apeyyan”ti.

“Suppose a person was to drop a lump of salt into the Ganges river. “Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso loṇakapallakaṁ gaṅgāya nadiyā pakkhipeyya. What do you think, mendicants? Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, Would the Ganges river become salty and undrinkable?” api nu sā gaṅgā nadī amunā loṇakapallena loṇaṁ assa apeyyā”ti?

“No, sir. “No hetaṁ, bhante”. Why is that? “Taṁ kissa hetu”? Because the Ganges river is a vast mass of water.” “Asu hi, bhante, gaṅgāya nadiyā mahā udakakkhandho so amunā loṇakapallena loṇo na assa apeyyo”ti.

“This is how it is in the case of an individual who does a trivial bad deed, but it lands them in hell. “Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, idhekaccassa puggalassa appamattakampi pāpakammaṁ kataṁ tamenaṁ nirayaṁ upaneti. Meanwhile, another individual does the same trivial bad deed, but experiences it in this life, so that not even a little remains, let alone a lot. … Idha, bhikkhave, ekaccassa puggalassa tādisaṁyeva appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ diṭṭhadhammavedanīyaṁ hoti, nāṇupi khāyati, kiṁ bahudeva.

Kathaṁrūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa appamattakampi pāpakammaṁ kataṁ tamenaṁ nirayaṁ upaneti? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo abhāvitakāyo hoti abhāvitasīlo abhāvitacitto abhāvitapañño paritto appātumo appadukkhavihārī. Evarūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa appamattakampi pāpakammaṁ kataṁ tamenaṁ nirayaṁ upaneti.

Kathaṁrūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa tādisaṁyeva appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ diṭṭhadhammavedanīyaṁ hoti, nāṇupi khāyati, kiṁ bahudeva? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo bhāvitakāyo hoti bhāvitasīlo bhāvitacitto bhāvitapañño aparitto mahatto appamāṇavihārī. Evarūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa tādisaṁyeva appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ diṭṭhadhammavedanīyaṁ hoti, nāṇupi khāyati, kiṁ bahudeva.

Take the case of someone who is thrown in jail for stealing half a dollar, a dollar, or a hundred dollars. Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco aḍḍhakahāpaṇenapi bandhanaṁ nigacchati, kahāpaṇenapi bandhanaṁ nigacchati, kahāpaṇasatenapi bandhanaṁ nigacchati. While someone else isn’t thrown in jail for stealing half a dollar, a dollar, or a hundred dollars. Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco aḍḍhakahāpaṇenapi na bandhanaṁ nigacchati, kahāpaṇenapi na bandhanaṁ nigacchati, kahāpaṇasatenapi na bandhanaṁ nigacchati.

What sort of person is thrown in jail for stealing half a dollar, a dollar, or a hundred dollars? Kathaṁrūpo, bhikkhave, aḍḍhakahāpaṇenapi bandhanaṁ nigacchati, kahāpaṇenapi bandhanaṁ nigacchati, kahāpaṇasatenapi bandhanaṁ nigacchati? Someone who is poor, with few possessions and little wealth. Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco daliddo hoti appassako appabhogo. That kind of person is thrown in jail for stealing half a dollar, a dollar, or a hundred dollars. Evarūpo, bhikkhave, aḍḍhakahāpaṇenapi bandhanaṁ nigacchati, kahāpaṇenapi bandhanaṁ nigacchati, kahāpaṇasatenapi bandhanaṁ nigacchati.

What sort of person isn’t thrown in jail for stealing half a dollar, a dollar, or a hundred dollars? Kathaṁrūpo, bhikkhave, aḍḍhakahāpaṇenapi na bandhanaṁ nigacchati, kahāpaṇenapi na bandhanaṁ nigacchati, kahāpaṇasatenapi na bandhanaṁ nigacchati? Someone who is rich, affluent, and wealthy. Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco aḍḍho hoti mahaddhano mahābhogo. That kind of person isn’t thrown in jail for stealing half a dollar, a dollar, or a hundred dollars. Evarūpo, bhikkhave, aḍḍhakahāpaṇenapi na bandhanaṁ nigacchati, kahāpaṇenapi na bandhanaṁ nigacchati, kahāpaṇasatenapi na bandhanaṁ nigacchati.

This is how it is in the case of an individual who does a trivial bad deed, but they go to hell. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, idhekaccassa puggalassa appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ. Tamenaṁ nirayaṁ upaneti. Meanwhile, another individual does the same trivial bad deed, but experiences it in this life, so that not even a little remains, let alone a lot. … Idha, bhikkhave, ekaccassa puggalassa tādisaṁyeva appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ diṭṭhadhammavedanīyaṁ hoti, nāṇupi khāyati, kiṁ bahudeva.

Kathaṁrūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ, tamenaṁ nirayaṁ upaneti? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo abhāvitakāyo hoti abhāvitasīlo abhāvitacitto abhāvitapañño paritto appātumo appadukkhavihārī. Evarūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa tādisaṁyeva appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ tamenaṁ nirayaṁ upaneti.

Kathaṁrūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa tādisaṁyeva appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ diṭṭhadhammavedanīyaṁ hoti, nāṇupi khāyati, kiṁ bahudeva? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo bhāvitakāyo hoti bhāvitasīlo bhāvitacitto bhāvitapañño aparitto mahatto appamāṇavihārī. Evarūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa tādisaṁyeva appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ diṭṭhadhammavedanīyaṁ hoti, nāṇupi khāyati, kiṁ bahudeva.

Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo bhāvitakāyo hoti bhāvitasīlo bhāvitacitto bhāvitapañño aparitto mahatto appamāṇavihārī. Evarūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa tādisaṁyeva appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ diṭṭhadhammavedanīyaṁ hoti, nāṇupi khāyati, kiṁ bahudeva. It’s like a sheep dealer or butcher. They can execute, jail, fine, or otherwise punish one person who steals from them, but not another. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, orabbhiko vā urabbhaghātako vā appekaccaṁ urabbhaṁ adinnaṁ ādiyamānaṁ pahoti hantuṁ vā bandhituṁ vā jāpetuṁ vā yathāpaccayaṁ vā kātuṁ, appekaccaṁ urabbhaṁ adinnaṁ ādiyamānaṁ nappahoti hantuṁ vā bandhituṁ vā jāpetuṁ vā yathāpaccayaṁ vā kātuṁ.

What sort of person can they punish? Kathaṁrūpaṁ, bhikkhave, orabbhiko vā urabbhaghātako vā urabbhaṁ adinnaṁ ādiyamānaṁ pahoti hantuṁ vā bandhituṁ vā jāpetuṁ vā yathāpaccayaṁ vā kātuṁ? Someone who is poor, with few possessions and little wealth. Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco daliddo hoti appassako appabhogo. That’s the kind of person they can punish. Evarūpaṁ, bhikkhave, orabbhiko vā urabbhaghātako vā urabbhaṁ adinnaṁ ādiyamānaṁ pahoti hantuṁ vā bandhituṁ vā jāpetuṁ vā yathāpaccayaṁ vā kātuṁ.

What sort of person can’t they punish? Kathaṁrūpaṁ, bhikkhave, orabbhiko vā urabbhaghātako vā urabbhaṁ adinnaṁ ādiyamānaṁ nappahoti hantuṁ vā bandhituṁ vā jāpetuṁ vā yathāpaccayaṁ vā kātuṁ. A ruler or their chief minister who is rich, affluent, and wealthy. Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco aḍḍho hoti mahaddhano mahābhogo rājā vā rājamahāmatto vā. That’s the kind of person they can’t punish. Evarūpaṁ, bhikkhave, orabbhiko vā urabbhaghātako vā urabbhaṁ adinnaṁ ādiyamānaṁ nappahoti hantuṁ vā bandhituṁ vā jāpetuṁ vā yathāpaccayaṁ vā kātuṁ. In fact, all they can do is raise their joined palms and ask: Aññadatthu pañjalikova naṁ yācati: ‘Please, good fellow, give me my sheep or pay me for it.’ ‘dehi me, mārisa, urabbhaṁ vā urabbhadhanaṁ vā’ti.

This is how it is in the case of an individual who does a trivial bad deed, but it lands them in hell. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, idhekaccassa puggalassa tādisaṁyeva appamattakampi pāpakammaṁ kataṁ tamenaṁ nirayaṁ upaneti. Meanwhile, another individual does the same trivial bad deed, but experiences it in this life, so that not even a little remains, let alone a lot. … Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekaccassa puggalassa tādisaṁyeva appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ diṭṭhadhammavedanīyaṁ hoti, nāṇupi khāyati, kiṁ bahudeva.

Kathaṁrūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa appamattakampi pāpakammaṁ kataṁ tamenaṁ nirayaṁ upaneti? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo abhāvitakāyo hoti abhāvitasīlo abhāvitacitto abhāvitapañño paritto appātumo appadukkhavihārī. Evarūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa appamattakampi pāpakammaṁ kataṁ tamenaṁ nirayaṁ upaneti.

Kathaṁrūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa tādisaṁyeva appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ diṭṭhadhammavedanīyaṁ hoti, nāṇupi khāyati, kiṁ bahudeva? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo bhāvitakāyo hoti bhāvitasīlo bhāvitacitto bhāvitapañño aparitto mahatto appamāṇavihārī. Evarūpassa, bhikkhave, puggalassa tādisaṁyeva appamattakaṁ pāpakammaṁ kataṁ diṭṭhadhammavedanīyaṁ hoti, nāṇupi khāyati, kiṁ bahudeva.

Mendicants, suppose you say: Yo, bhikkhave, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘No matter how this person performs a deed, they experience it the same way.’ This being so, the spiritual life could not be lived, and there’d be no chance of making a complete end of suffering. ‘yathā yathāyaṁ puriso kammaṁ karoti tathā tathā taṁ paṭisaṁvedetī’ti, evaṁ santaṁ, bhikkhave, brahmacariyavāso na hoti, okāso na paññāyati sammā dukkhassa antakiriyāya.

Suppose you say: Yo ca kho, bhikkhave, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘No matter how this person performs a deed, they experience the result as it should be experienced.’ This being so, the spiritual life can be lived, and there is a chance of making a complete end of suffering.” ‘yathā yathā vedanīyaṁ ayaṁ puriso kammaṁ karoti tathā tathā tassa vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedetī’ti, evaṁ santaṁ, bhikkhave, brahmacariyavāso hoti, okāso paññāyati sammā dukkhassa antakiriyāyā”ti.

Navamaṁ.