Looking for source of analogy

[PadmaVonSamba]

There is an analogy used to describe the calming of the mind: muddy water being allowed to settle and return to its original clear state. I would like to find the original source (sutra?) in which this analogy is found. Do you know/ Thank you.

[username]

There is an analogy used to describe the calming of the mind: muddy water being allowed to settle and return to its original clear state. I would like to find the original source (sutra?) in which this analogy is found. Do you know/ Thank you.

Also the symbol for a buddha's final and full enlightenment is a lotus since from muddy murky sticky samsaric depths fragrant and bejeweled with pure nectar and dewdrops, it gently emerges perfectly, immaculately and beautifully for the wide open clear sunlit vast sky and unbounded deep empty space of ultimate realization.

http://piodalcin.wordpress.com/2010/11/ ... disturbed/

The Shurangama Sutra:
It is like purifying muddy water by placing it in a quiet vessel which is kept completely still and unmoving. The sand and silt settle, and the pure water appears. This is called the initial subduing of the guest-dust affliction.
http://www.cttbusa.org/shurangama4/shurangama4_12.asp
http://www.cttbusa.org/shurangama/shurangama16.asp

”The Buddha asks about perfect penetration. By means of a spiral-like attention to the profound, the light of my mind was revealed, just as muddy water clears. Eventually it became pure and dazzling. This is the foremost method.” 5:91
http://www.cttbusa.org/shurangama/shurangama19.asp


http://www.google.com/search?q=muddy+site%3Acttbusa.org

And of course Muddy Waters was a devine guitarist and singer.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

Not sure if this is what you're thinking of, but the Pali Canon has this... (if the suttas are of no interest, feel free to disregard)

AN 1.45-46: Udakarahaka Suttas
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

45. "Suppose there were a pool of water — sullied, turbid, and muddy. A man with good eyesight standing there on the bank would not see shells, gravel, and pebbles, or shoals of fish swimming about and resting. Why is that? Because of the sullied nature of the water. In the same way, that a monk with a sullied mind would know his own benefit, the benefit of others, the benefit of both; that he would realize a superior human state, a truly noble distinction of knowledge & vision: Such a thing is impossible. Why is that? Because of the sullied nature of his mind."

46. "Suppose there were a pool of water — clear, limpid, and unsullied. A man with good eyesight standing there on the bank would see shells, gravel, & pebbles, and also shoals of fish swimming about and resting. Why is that? Because of the unsullied nature of the water. In the same way, that a monk with an unsullied mind would know his own benefit, the benefit of others, the benefit of both; that he would realize a superior human state, a truly noble distinction of knowledge & vision: Such a thing is possible. Why is that? Because of the unsullied nature of his mind."

Maitri,
Retro.