Dear John,
This is a very subtle point and I like to research myself. M. 137 explains
about sorrow connected with renunciation and how this sorrow arises as a
result of desire. The Co (in Thai) is very good, but I need more time.
Netti: 87: craving that is profitable and unprofitable. Thorn, ka.n.taka
(n), I looked up PED: A. V, 135: the thornless thorn-removers are arahats.
This weekend I am engaged with worldly craving, but in the course of next
week I try again.
Nina.
op 21-12-2003 02:54 schreef John Kelly op palistudent@...:

> Does anyone know where in the Pali canon there is a
> simile about removing a thorn with a thorn then
> throwing both thorns away? This is in reference to
> craving for Arahatship helps motivate one to attain
> Arahatship, and so end all craving.
>