“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.
It’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.
But 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.
It’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.
That’s why you should practice meditation …”