Ru-Yi Meditation Center
Saṃyutta Nikāya · Discourse 56.44

A Bungalow

Kūṭāgārasutta — Papātavagga

Setting
Not given — continuing directly from SN 56.43's own setting
Speaker
The Buddha, addressing the mendicants directly
Form
Two paired similes, impossibility then possibility, each illustrated by a building example
Length
1–2 minutes to read
Northern parallel
No individual parallel confirmed by this project's own check
Significance
★★★ — the fourth of ten discourses, restating SN 56.32's own identical structure with a construction image in place of a basket-weaving one

Why this discourse

Confirmed by direct reading, this discourse restates the identical impossibility/possibility structure already met at SN 56.32, replacing that discourse's own leaf-basket image with a construction one: just as a bungalow's own upper story cannot be hoisted up before its lower story is built, ending suffering is impossible without first truly comprehending the four truths, and possible once that comprehension is achieved.

Reading guide

A recurring structure, a new image

This project's own direct comparison against SN 56.32: both discourses share the identical two-part claim (impossible without comprehension, possible after it) and the identical repeated verdicts (“netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati,” “ṭhānametaṁ vijjati”), differing only in which everyday image illustrates the claim — construction order here, leaf-basket material there.

Key terms

kūṭāgārassa heṭṭhimaṁ gharaṁ akaritvā uparimaṁ gharaṁ āropessāmi — “before the lower story of a bungalow is built, I will hoist up the upper story” — the impossible claim illustrating the impossible comprehension-claim
netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati — “that is not possible” — this discourse's own repeated verdict, identical to SN 56.32's own
heṭṭhimaṁ gharaṁ karitvā uparimaṁ gharaṁ āropessāmi — “after the lower story of a bungalow is built, I will hoist up the upper story” — the possible claim, matching the possible comprehension-claim
ṭhānametaṁ vijjati — “that is possible” — this discourse's own repeated verdict, identical to SN 56.32's own
catutthaṁ — “the fourth” — this discourse's own root text confirming its own position directly, read rather than assumed

The text

Every genuinely translated fragment given in the consulted English source. Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0, SuttaCentral).

§1“Mendicants, suppose someone were to say: ‘Without truly comprehending the noble truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path, I will completely make an end of suffering.’ That is not possible.

§2It’s as if someone were to say: ‘Before the lower story of a bungalow is built, I will hoist up the upper story.’ That is not possible. In the same way, suppose someone were to say: ‘Without truly comprehending the noble truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path, I will completely make an end of suffering.’ That is not possible.

§3But suppose someone were to say: ‘After truly comprehending the noble truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path, I will completely make an end of suffering.’ That is possible.

§4It’s as if someone were to say: ‘After the lower story of a bungalow is built, I will hoist up the upper story.’ That is possible. In the same way, suppose someone were to say: ‘After truly comprehending the noble truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path, I will completely make an end of suffering.’ That is possible.

§5That’s why you should practice meditation …”

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Self-check quiz

3 questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.

Question 1 of 3
How does this discourse relate to SN 56.32, per this project's own direct comparison?
Correct: A. Confirmed by direct comparison — the same claim and the same repeated verdicts, a different everyday image.
Question 2 of 3
What construction fact illustrates the impossibility claim?
Correct: A. Confirmed by direct reading — an ordinary, checkable fact about construction order.
Question 3 of 3
What position does this discourse occupy in this vagga's own ten-discourse sequence?
Correct: A. Confirmed by direct reading of the root text's own closing marker "Catutthaṁ" ("fourth").
Answered 0 of 3 · Correct 0

Further reading

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