Samyuktagama (Sanskrit fragments) 283.6

283.6

爾時，世尊告諸比丘：「若於結所繫法隨生味著、顧念、心縛，則愛生；愛緣取，取緣有，有緣生，生緣老、病、死、憂、悲、惱、苦，如是如是純大苦聚集。如人種樹，初小軟弱，愛護令安，壅以糞土，隨時溉灌，冷暖調適，以是因緣，然後彼樹得增長大。如是，比丘！結所繫法味著將養，則生恩愛，愛緣取，取緣有，有緣生，生緣老、病、死、憂、悲、惱、苦，如是如是純大苦聚集。

It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “When being bound by the bonds is savored, thought about, and fetters the mind, then craving arises. Craving then is the condition for clinging. Clinging is the condition for existence. Existence is the condition for birth. Birth is the condition for old age, illness, death, grief, sorrow, pain, and trouble. Thus forms the whole mass of suffering.

“It’s like someone planting a tree. At first, it’s small, flexible, and weak. When cared for and protected, it’s made secure. They cultivate it with manure and soil, water it at appropriate times, and prepare it for cold and warm weather. Afterward, the tree is able grow larger under those conditions.

“So it is, monks. When being bound by the bonds is savored and nourished, it creates affection and craving. Craving is the condition for clinging. Clinging is the condition for existence. Existence is the condition for birth. Birth is the condition for old age, illness, death, grief, sorrow, pain, and trouble. Thus forms the whole mass of suffering.