[285] "'The ocean, the ocean' (samuddo), bhikkhus — so the uninstructed worldling (assutavā puthujjano) speaks. But that, bhikkhus, is not the ocean in the discipline of the Noble One. That, bhikkhus, is a great mass of water, a great expanse of water.
The eye, bhikkhus, is a person's ocean; its current consists of forms (rūpa). One who withstands that current consisting of forms is called, bhikkhus, one who has crossed the ocean of the eye with its waves, its whirlpools, its monsters, its demons; having crossed over, gone beyond, the brahmin stands on high ground. …
The tongue, bhikkhus, is a person's ocean; its current consists of tastes. One who withstands that current consisting of tastes is called, bhikkhus, one who has crossed the ocean of the tongue with its waves, its whirlpools, its monsters, its demons; having crossed over, gone beyond, the brahmin stands on high ground. …
The mind (mano), bhikkhus, is a person's ocean; its current consists of mental phenomena (dhammā). One who withstands that current consisting of mental phenomena is called, bhikkhus, one who has crossed the ocean of the mind with its waves, its whirlpools, its monsters, its demons; having crossed over, gone beyond, the brahmin stands on high ground."
This is what [the Blessed One] said. … the Teacher [further said:]
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.