<p><a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/ud/ud.6.09.olen.html" rel="nofollow">Ud 6.9  - Adhipataka Sutta: Like Moths to the Flame<br>
translated from the Pali by Andrew Olendzki</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>“The insects are drawn irresistibly in the dark night to the shining
  lamps, but in their zeal to approach the light they go too far and
  only meet their doom. Humans likewise are drawn to the pleasures of
  the senses, to what is seen and heard, not realizing the dangers
  involved. When we get too close — when we hold on with too much
  attachment — we get burned by suffering. The senses can still be
  enjoyed, as the moth can stay circling the flame, but only when one
  holds the proper distance. This quality of "stepping back" or
  "standing off" from obsession with the senses is something that is
  cultivated with the practice of mindfulness meditation.”</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-17T23:54:18.790Z
When the young monks of the Mahamevnawa explain to us these sermons in Sinhala, we never think of finding the English translations. Just now I looked into the story of "Katakirilli" - of the Hawk & the Quail (Saṃyutta Nikāya 47 - The Hawk). This is another exemplary story.   https://suttacentral.net/en/sn47.6
Saptha Visuddhi
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-17T01:28:21.410Z
2016-06-17T15:14:45.493Z
2016-06-17T15:14:45.493Z
Saptha Visuddhi
<p>What is the sutta that uses the following metaphor?</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Firefly(Samsaric being) jumps into candlelight seeking a
  pleasure(Tanha), not knowing(Avijja) that the candlelight will burn
  the firefly to death(Samsaric Dukkha).</p>
</blockquote>

<reference-request><pali-canon><sutras><texts><simile>
Sutta with firefly simile
# Sutta with firefly simile

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-06-16)

What is the sutta that uses the following metaphor?

> Firefly(Samsaric being) jumps into candlelight seeking a
> pleasure(Tanha), not knowing(Avijja) that the candlelight will burn
> the firefly to death(Samsaric Dukkha).

**Tags:** reference-request, pali-canon, sutras, texts, simile


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-06-17. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

[Ud 6.9 - Adhipataka Sutta: Like Moths to the Flame  
translated from the Pali by Andrew Olendzki](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/ud/ud.6.09.olen.html)

> “The insects are drawn irresistibly in the dark night to the shining
> lamps, but in their zeal to approach the light they go too far and
> only meet their doom. Humans likewise are drawn to the pleasures of
> the senses, to what is seen and heard, not realizing the dangers
> involved. When we get too close — when we hold on with too much
> attachment — we get burned by suffering. The senses can still be
> enjoyed, as the moth can stay circling the flame, but only when one
> holds the proper distance. This quality of "stepping back" or
> "standing off" from obsession with the senses is something that is
> cultivated with the practice of mindfulness meditation.”

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: When the young monks of the Mahamevnawa explain to us these sermons in Sinhala, we never think of finding the English translations. Just now I looked into the story of "Katakirilli" - of the Hawk & the Quail (Saṃyutta Nikāya 47 - The Hawk). This is another exemplary story.   https://suttacentral.net/en/sn47.6  

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