“Monks, suppose someone were to say, ‘Without truly comprehending the Noble Truth of suffering, the Noble Truth of the origin of suffering, the Noble Truth of the end of suffering, and the Noble Truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering, I will completely make an end of suffering.’ That is not possible.
“It’s as if someone were to say: ‘Before the lower story of a house with a peaked roof is built, I will build the upper story.’ That is not possible. In the same way, suppose someone were to say, ‘Without truly comprehending the Noble Truths of suffering, origin of suffering, end of suffering, and the path that leads to the end of suffering, I will completely make an end of suffering.’ That is not possible.
“Monks, suppose someone were to say: ‘After truly comprehending the Noble Truth of suffering, the Noble Truth of the origin of suffering, the Noble Truth of the end of suffering, and the Noble Truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering, I will completely make an end of suffering.’ That is possible.
“It’s as if someone were to say: ‘After the lower story of a house with a peaked roof is built, I will build the upper story.’ That is possible. In the same way, suppose someone were to say: ‘After truly comprehending the Noble Truth of suffering, the Noble Truth of the origin of suffering, the Noble Truth of the end of suffering, and the Noble Truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering, I will completely make an end of suffering.’ That is possible.
“Therefore, monks, you should make an effort to understand: ‘This is suffering.’ You should make an effort to understand: ‘This is the origin of suffering.’ You should make an effort to understand: ‘This is the end of suffering.’ You should make an effort to understand: ‘This is the path that leads to the end of suffering.’”
