<p>From <a href="https://suttafriends.org/sutta/mn82/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">MN 82 Raṭṭhapāla Sutta</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>‘All beings are swept away toward old age and death. Therefore, the
world is unstable.’ This is the first theme.</p>
<p>‘Life is insecure and everything is out of one’s control.’ This is the
second theme.</p>
<p>‘We own nothing—we  must leave it all behind and pass on.’ This is the
third theme.</p>
<p>‘Something is lacking in everybody’s life, no one is fully satisfied,
beings are slaves of craving.’ This is the fourth theme.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>One interesting thing to note, the same exact plotline is followed in the <a href="https://www.wisdomlib.org/buddhism/book/the-great-chronicle-of-buddhas/d/doc364582.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">story</a> of another monk name Sudinna, a merchant's son.  The only difference is the ending; it doesn't end with the four points in question.  Instead the monk is persuaded to procreate with his ex-wife which results in admonishment from Buddha and company.</p>

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2023-03-17T19:59:21.033Z
2023-03-18T00:03:20.163Z
2023-03-18T00:03:20.163Z
blue_ego
<p>What is the source of the <a href="https://www.dhammatalks.org/books/ChantingGuide/Section0013.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Four Dhamma Summaries</a>?</p>
<p>From which sutta does it come from?</p>
<blockquote>
<ol>
<li><p>The world is swept away. It does not endure.</p>
</li>
<li><p>The world offers no shelter. There is no one in charge.</p>
</li>
<li><p>The world has nothing of its own. One has to pass on, leaving everything behind.</p>
</li>
<li><p>The world is insufficient, insatiable (<em>atitto</em>), a slave to craving.</p>
</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>

<reference-request><pali-canon><sutta-reference>
What is the source of the Four Dhamma Summaries?
# What is the source of the Four Dhamma Summaries?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-03-17)

What is the source of the [Four Dhamma Summaries](https://www.dhammatalks.org/books/ChantingGuide/Section0013.html)?

From which sutta does it come from?

> 1. The world is swept away. It does not endure.
> 2. The world offers no shelter. There is no one in charge.
> 3. The world has nothing of its own. One has to pass on, leaving everything behind.
> 4. The world is insufficient, insatiable (*atitto*), a slave to craving.

**Tags:** reference-request, pali-canon, sutta-reference


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2023-03-17. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

From [MN 82 Raṭṭhapāla Sutta](https://suttafriends.org/sutta/mn82/):

> ‘All beings are swept away toward old age and death. Therefore, the
> world is unstable.’ This is the first theme.
>
> ‘Life is insecure and everything is out of one’s control.’ This is the
> second theme.
>
> ‘We own nothing—we must leave it all behind and pass on.’ This is the
> third theme.
>
> ‘Something is lacking in everybody’s life, no one is fully satisfied,
> beings are slaves of craving.’ This is the fourth theme.

One interesting thing to note, the same exact plotline is followed in the [story](https://www.wisdomlib.org/buddhism/book/the-great-chronicle-of-buddhas/d/doc364582.html) of another monk name Sudinna, a merchant's son. The only difference is the ending; it doesn't end with the four points in question. Instead the monk is persuaded to procreate with his ex-wife which results in admonishment from Buddha and company.


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