Sīsapāvanasutta
In a Rosewood Forest
In a siṁsapā grove, the Buddha holds up a handful of leaves, and compares it to all the leaves in the forest. So too, he has taught the four noble truths, which is only a fraction of what he knows.
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Khadirapattasutta
Acacia Leaves
Just as it’s impossible to keep water in a basket of pine needles, it’s impossible to end suffering without penetrating the four noble truths.
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Daṇḍasutta
A Stick
Beings who have not seen the four noble truths roam on from one birth to another, like a stick thrown end to end.
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Celasutta
Clothes
Even more than if your clothes are on fire, you should make an effort to understand the four noble truths.
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Sattisatasutta
A Hundred Spears
Even more than if you’re being tortured with spikes, you should make an effort to understand the four noble truths.
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Pāṇasutta
Living Creatures
The small creatures in the ocean are greater in number than all the foliage in the jungles of India. Still, your rebirths are more than this.
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Paṭhamasūriyasutta
The Simile of the Sun (1st)
As the dawn precedes the sunrise, right view precedes the penetration of the four noble truths.
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Dutiyasūriyasutta
The Simile of the Sun (2nd)
As long as there are no sun and moon, the world is in darkness. So too, as long as the Realized One has not arisen and declared the four noble truths, the world is in darkness.
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Indakhīlasutta
Indra’s pillar
One who has not seen the four noble truths is as feeble as a tuft of cotton wool, while one who has seen them is like a deep-rooted pillar.
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Vādatthikasutta
Looking For a Debate
No-one can refute you if you are well grounded in the four noble truths.