The Simile of a Lump of Salt

Monks, if one were to say thus: A person experiences Kamma in precisely the same way that he created it, in such a case there could be no living of the spiritual life and no opportunity would be seen for completely making an end of discontentedness.

But if one were to say thus: When a person creates Kamma that is to be experienced in a particular way, he experiences its result precisely in that way, in such a case the living of the spiritual life is possible and an opportunity is seen for completely making an end of discontentedness.

Here, Monks, some person has created a small amount of unwholesome Kamma yet it leads him to hell, while some other person here has created exactly the same small amount of Kamma yet it is to be experienced in this very life, without even a slight (residue) being seen, much less plentiful (residue).

What kind of person creates a small amount of unwholesome Kamma that leads him to hell?

Here, some person is undeveloped in body, virtuous behavior, mind, and wisdom; he is limited and has a mean character, and he dwells in discontentedness. When such a person creates a small amount of unwholesome Kamma, it leads him to hell.

What kind of person creates exactly the same small amount of unwholesome Kamma and yet it is to be experienced in this very life, without even a slight (residue) being seen, much less plentiful (residue)?

Here, some person is developed in body, virtuous behavior, mind, and wisdom. He is unlimited and has a lofty character, and he resides without measure. When such a person creates exactly the same small amount of unwholesome Kamma, it is to be experienced in this very life, without even a slight (residue) being seen, much less plentiful (residue).

Suppose a man would drop a lump of salt into a small bowl of water. What do you think, Monks? Would that lump of salt make the small quantity of water in the bowl salty and undrinkable?

‘Yes, Venerable Sir.’

For what reason?

Because the water in the bowl is limited, thus that lump of salt would make it salty and undrinkable.

But suppose a man would drop a lump of salt into the river Ganges. What do you think, Monks? Would that lump of salt make the river Ganges become salty and undrinkable?

‘No, Venerable Sir.’

For what reason?

Because the river Ganges contains a large volume of water, thus that lump of salt would not make it salty and undrinkable.

So too, Monks, some person here has created a small amount of unwholesome Kamma yet it leads him to hell, while some other person here has created exactly the same small amount of Kamma yet it is to be experienced in this very life, without even a slight (residue) being seen, much less abundant (residue).

Here, Monks, someone is imprisoned for [stealing] half a kahapana (coin/currency), a kahapana, or a hundred kahapanas, while someone else is not imprisoned for [stealing] the same amount of money.

What kind of person is imprisoned for [stealing] half a kahapana (coin/currency), a kahapana, or a hundred kahapanas?

Here, someone is poor, with little property and wealth. Such a person is imprisoned for [stealing] half a kahapana (coin/currency), a kahapana, or a hundred kahapanas.

What kind of person is not imprisoned for [stealing] half a kahapana (coin/currency), a kahapana, or a hundred kahapanas?

Here, someone is rich, with much money and wealth. Such a person is not imprisoned for [stealing] half a kahapana (coin/currency), a kahapana, or a hundred kahapanas.

So too, Monks, some person has created a small amount of unwholesome Kamma yet it leads him to hell, while some other person here has created exactly the same small amount of Kamma yet it is to be experienced in this very life, without even a slight (residue) being seen, much less abundant (residue).

Monks, take the case of a sheep merchant or butcher, who can execute, imprison, fine, or otherwise penalize someone who has stolen one of his sheep but can’t do so to someone else who has stolen his sheep.

What kind of person can the sheep merchant or butcher execute, imprison, fine, or otherwise penalize for stealing a sheep?

One who is poor, with little property and wealth. The sheep merchant or butcher can execute, imprison, fine, or otherwise penalize such a person for stealing a sheep.

What kind of person can’t the sheep merchant or butcher execute, imprison, fine, or otherwise penalize for stealing a sheep?

One who is rich, with a lot of money and wealth, a King or royal minister. The sheep merchant or butcher can’t execute, imprison, fine, or otherwise penalize such a person for stealing a sheep; he can only plead with him: ‘Sir, return my sheep or pay me for it.’

So too, Monks, some person has created a small amount of unwholesome Kamma yet it leads him to hell, while some other person here has created exactly the same small amount of Kamma yet it is to be experienced in this very life, without even a slight (residue) being seen, much less abundant (residue).

If, Monks, one were to say thus: A person experiences Kamma in precisely the same way that he created it, in such a case there could be no living of the spiritual life and no opportunity would be seen for completely making an end of discontentedness.

But if one were to say thus: When a person creates Kamma that is to be experienced in a particular way, he experiences its result precisely in that way, in such a case the living of the spiritual life is possible and an opportunity is seen for completely making an end of discontentedness.

(Reference: AN 3.100)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how the same unwholesome action can lead to more or less consequences for an individual based on the amount of wholesomeness they have already accumulated in their life.

The Buddha uses a lump of salt to represent the unwholesome action and the water represents wholesome actions.

If a same lump of salt is dropped into a bowl of water versus an entire river, the bowl of water becomes undrinkable while the river of water is still drinkable.

Why is this?

This is because the amount of water (i.e. wholesomeness) that is less will be more highly affected by the lump of salt versus the entire river.

In the same way, a being who has generated an insignificant amount of wholesomeness in their life through making many unwise unwholesome decisions will be more highly affected by the same unwholesome action versus someone who has generated a significant amount of wholesomeness in their life through making many wise wholesome decisions.

The same unwholesome action will produce significant versus less significant effects based on our past actions.

The Buddha is essentially sharing how a Practitioner who has a history of making many wholesome decisions will have accumulated many beneficial results in their life (i.e. wholesome Kamma). Making an unwise decision that is unwholesome will affect this person much less than an individual who has minimal accumulation of wholesome decisions.

As a Practitioner learns, reflects, and practices these Teachings making wiser and wiser decisions, they are accumulating the beneficial results of those decisions through improved opportunities in their life. If there is an occasional unwholesome decision that is made along The Path to Enlightenment, this will be less impactful since there is more accumulation of wholesome decisions.

The more wholesome decisions a Practitioner makes, the more accumulation of beneficial results one will experience. As time goes forward, a Practitioner who will attain Enlightenment will continue to make wise wholesome decisions over an extended period of time leading to the accumulation of wholesome results (i.e. wholesome Kamma).

The goal of these Teachings is not to learn them and then immediately practice them perfectly. That is not possible.

Instead, a Practitioner will need to gradually learn these Teachings then gradually implement them into their life making an increased amount of wholesome decisions. Over an extended period of time, the accumulation of these wholesome decisions will result in increased amounts of wholesome results to be experienced. When there is an occasional deviation from these Teachings, understand this is normal as you walk towards Enlightenment and know that you are working towards the extinguishing of any and all unwholesome decisions. This will require patience and consistency towards learning, reflecting, and practicing with determination, dedication, and diligence.