Muni's PlayIn this sutta from the Book of the Threes, the Buddha categorizes individuals into three types based on the resilience and clarity of their minds, using vivid metaphors of a sore, lightning, and a diamond.
1. The Mind Like an Open Sore
(Pali: अरुकूपमचित्त - arukūpamacitta / Skt: अरूकोपमचित्त - arūkopamacitta)
This person is easily angered (कोधन - kodhana) and prone to great despair (उपायासबहुल - upāyāsabahula). Even when criticized slightly, they become offended, irritated, and display hatred and bitterness.
The Simile: The Buddha compares this mind to a festering, infected sore (दुट्ठारुक - duṭṭhāruka). Just as a sore discharges pus when lightly struck by a stick or a shard, this person’s mind leaks anger and resentment when touched by the slightest provocation.
2. The Mind Like Lightning
(Pali: विज्जूपमचित्त - vijjūpamacitta / Skt: विद्युदुपमचित्त - vidyudupamacitta)
This person is a noble disciple who truly understands the Four Noble Truths as they really are (यथाभूतं पजानाति - yathābhūtaṃ pajānāti): they comprehend suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.
The Simile: The Buddha compares this mind to a flash of lightning (विज्जु - vijju). Just as a man with good eyesight can suddenly see forms in the pitch black of night when lightning flashes, this person’s mind experiences brilliant flashes of insight that cut through the darkness of ignorance.
3. The Mind Like a Diamond
(Pali: वजिरूपमचित्त - vajirūpamacitta / Skt: वज्रोपमचित्त - vajropamacitta)
This represents the fully awakened Arahant. Through the complete destruction of the taints (आसवानं खया - āsavānaṃ khayā), they have realized and entered the taintless liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom (अनासवं चेतोविमुत्तिं पञ्ञाविमुत्तिं - anāsavaṃ cetovimuttiṃ paññāvimuttiṃ).
The Simile: The Buddha compares this mind to a diamond (वजिर - vajira). Just as there is no gem or stone that a diamond cannot cut through, the diamond-like mind has completely cut through all defilements and attachments, becoming unbreakable and supreme.
Summary
| Mind Metaphor | Pali / Sanskrit | Meaning | Simile |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Open Sore | अरुकूपमचित्त (arukūpamacitta) अरूकोपमचित्त (arūkopamacitta) | Hyper-reactive, irritable, prone to anger and despair. | Leaks pus (anger) when struck lightly. |
| Lightning | विज्जूपमचित्त (vijjūpamacitta) विद्युदुपमचित्त (vidyudupamacitta) | Possesses clear insight into the Four Noble Truths. | Flashes of light revealing truth in darkness. |
| A Diamond | वजिरूपमचित्त (vajirūpamacitta) वज्रोपमचित्त (vajropamacitta) | Fully liberated; has destroyed all taints (āsavas). | Unbreakable; cuts through all defilements. |