Ja 248 The Story about the Flame of the Forest
(Kiṁsukopamajātaka)
In the present four monks become Arahats, but along different paths, and wonder how all paths lead to the same destination. The Buddha then tells a story about people who see a Kiṁsuka tree at different times, and describe it very differently, but it is the same tree.
1. Sabbehi Kiṁsuko diṭṭho, kiṁ nvettha vicikicchatha?
Na hi sabbesu ṭhānesu sārathī paripucchito ti!
The Kiṁsuka has been seen by you all, why are you doubtful here? you haven’t questioned the charioteer about all conditions!
In this connection, you haven’t questioned the charioteer about all conditions, the Kiṁsuka has been seen by all of you, why are you doubtful here? The appearance of the Kiṁsuka (should be seen) in all conditions. But not having questioned the charioteer about the Kiṁsuka in all conditions, doubt has arisen for you because of that.
2. Evaṁ sabbehi ñāṇehi yesaṁ dhammā ajānitā,
Te ve dhammesu kaṅkhanti, Kiṁsukasmiṁ va bhātaro ti.
In this way, for those who do not understand things with all knowledge, they doubt about things, like the brothers regarding the Kiṁsuka.
This is the meaning: just as those brothers have doubts, not having seen the Kiṁsuka in all conditions, so for those who, with insight and knowledge, do not understand all things analysed as the six contacts, the spheres, the constituents, the materials and the elements, not having attained, not having penetrated, the path of Stream-Entry, The first stage on the path to Awakening. they have doubts about these things like contacts, spheres and so on, just as the four brothers did regarding the Kiṁsuka.