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# SN 20:8 · Blocks of Wood (Kaliṅgara Sutta)
- URL: https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/sn-20-8/
- Published: 2026-06-01T02:46:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-13T16:35:10.000Z
- Description: Saṁyutta Nikāya · SN 20:8. Translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
- Author: Ninth Heaven Literature & Arts Association (NHLAA)
- Tags: Buddhism, Sutta Piṭaka, Text, Indian, The Buddha, Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, Discourse, Pali, Early Buddhist, Library

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying was staying near Vesālī, at the Gabled Hall in the Great Forest. There he addressed the monks: “Monks!”

“Yes, lord,” the monks responded to him.

The Blessed One said, “The Licchavis now live heedfully, ardent in exercise, with blocks of wood[1](https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN20%5F8.html?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) for pillows. King Ajātasattu of Māgadha, Vedehi’s son, doesn’t gain an opening among them, doesn’t gain a foothold. But there will come a time in the future when the Licchavis grow delicate, with soft palms of their hands & soles of their feet.[2](https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN20%5F8.html?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) They will sleep until sunrise on soft beds with pillows of cotton wool. King Ajātasattu of Māgadha, Vedehi’s son, will gain an opening among them, will gain a foothold.

“The monks now live heedfully, ardent in exertion, with blocks of wood for pillows. Māra the Evil One doesn’t gain an opening among them, doesn’t gain a foothold. But there will come a time in the future when the monks grow delicate, with soft palms of their hands & soles of their feet. They will sleep until sunrise on soft beds with pillows of cotton wool. Māra the Evil One will gain an opening among them, will gain a foothold.

“Therefore, monks, you should train yourselves: ‘We will live heedfully, ardent in exertion, with blocks of wood for pillows.’ That’s how you should train yourselves.”

Notes

1\. *Kaliṅgara.* This can also mean chaff or straw.

2\. Reading *mudu-talā hatthapādā* with the Thai edition. The Burmese edition has *mudu-taluṇa-hatthapādā:* “with soft & tender hands & feet.”

See also: [DN 16](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/dn-16/); [SN 16:5](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/sn-16-5/); [SN 16:13](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/sn-16-13/); [SN 47:6](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/sn-47-6/); [SN 47:7](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/sn-47-7/); [AN 3:35](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/an-3-35/); [AN 5:79](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/an-5-79/); [AN 5:80](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/an-5-80/); [Thag 18](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/thag-18/)

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*Translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu. © 2014 / rev. 2017 Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu — released under the [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) licence, for free distribution only. Source: [dhammatalks.org](https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN20%5F8.html?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) (Metta Forest Monastery).*