SN56:61 Elsewhere
- fdg sc © Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. (More copyright information)
1Then the Blessed One took up a little bit of soil in his fingernail and addressed the bhikkhus thus: |
"What do you think, bhikkhus, which is more: the little bit of soil in my fingernail or the great earth?" sn.v.466 |
"Venerable sir, the great earth is more. The little bit of soil that the Blessed One has taken up in his fingernail is trifling. Compared to the great earth, that little bit of soil is not calculable, does not bear comparison, does not amount even to a fraction." |
2"So too, bhikkhus, those beings are few who are reborn among human beings. But those beings are more numerous who are reborn elsewhere than among human beings.[n.414] This is also at AN1.334, but without the connection to the Four Noble Truths. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, they have not seen the Four Noble Truths. What four? The noble truth of suffering, the noble truth of the origin of suffering, the noble truth of the cessation of suffering, the noble truth of the way leading to the cessation of suffering. |
3"Therefore, bhikkhus, an exertion should be made to understand: ‘This is suffering.’ … An exertion should be made to understand: ‘This is the way leading to the cessation of suffering.’" |