(sutta text link) ● MN 23 - šš 16m, Vammika : Ant hill summary of the sutta: A deva gives a riddle to a monk: “Sir, what is the ant-hill? What is the fuming by night and flaming by day? Who is the brahmin, and who the sage? What are the sword, the digging, the bar, the bullfrog, the forked path, the box, the tortoise, the axe and block, and the piece of flesh? And what is the dragon (nÄga)?” The Buddha answers the question for the monk later, and two major items of interest are the sword of noble wisdom/discernment (paƱƱa), and the dragon (nÄga). ‘Satthan’ti kho, bhikkhu, ariyÄyetaį¹ paƱƱÄya adhivacanaį¹. ‘Sword’ is a term for noble wisdom. About the dragon, the Buddha said: ‘NÄgo’ti kho, bhikkhu, khÄ«į¹Äsavassetaį¹ bhikkhuno adhivacanaį¹. ‘Dragon’ is a term for a monk who has ended the defilements. Tiį¹į¹hatu nÄgo, mÄ nÄgaį¹ ghaį¹į¹esi; namo karohi nÄgassÄti ayametassa attho”ti. (15) This is the meaning of: ‘Leave the dragon! Do not disturb the dragon! Worship the dragon.’” Idamavoca b
always question authority