SN 13.1 · A Fingernail
SN 13.1 · Nakhasikhāsutta
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.
Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.
Then the Buddha, picking up a little bit of dirt on his fingernail, addressed the mendicants: “What do you think, mendicants? Which is more: the little bit of dirt on my fingernail, or this great earth?”
Atha kho bhagavā parittaṁ nakhasikhāyaṁ paṁsuṁ āropetvā bhikkhū āmantesi: “Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ, yo vāyaṁ mayā paritto nakhasikhāyaṁ paṁsu āropito, ayaṁ vā mahāpathavī”ti?
“Sir, the great earth is far more. The little bit of dirt on your fingernail is tiny. Compared to the great earth, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part.”
“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ, yadidaṁ mahāpathavī. Appamattako bhagavatā paritto nakhasikhāyaṁ paṁsu āropito. Neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upeti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upeti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upeti mahāpathaviṁ upanidhāya bhagavatā paritto nakhasikhāyaṁ paṁsu āropito”ti.
“In the same way, for a noble disciple accomplished in view, an individual with comprehension, the suffering that’s over and done with is more, what’s left is tiny. Compared to the mass of suffering in the past that’s over and done with, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part, since there are at most seven more lives. That’s how very beneficial it is to comprehend the teaching and gain the vision of the teaching.”
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa diṭṭhisampannassa puggalassa abhisametāvino etadeva bahutaraṁ dukkhaṁ yadidaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ; appamattakaṁ avasiṭṭhaṁ. Neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upeti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upeti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upeti purimaṁ dukkhakkhandhaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ upanidhāya yadidaṁ sattakkhattuṁparamatā. Evaṁ mahatthiyo kho, bhikkhave, dhammābhisamayo; evaṁ mahatthiyo dhammacakkhupaṭilābho”ti.
Paṭhamaṁ.
SN 13.2 · A Lotus Pond
SN 13.2 · Pokkharaṇīsutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.
“Mendicants, suppose there was a lotus pond that was fifty leagues long, fifty leagues wide, and fifty leagues deep, full to the brim so a crow could drink from it. Then a person would pick up some water on the tip of a blade of grass.
“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, pokkharaṇī paññāsayojanāni āyāmena paññāsayojanāni vitthārena paññāsayojanāni ubbedhena, puṇṇā udakassa samatittikā kākapeyyā. Tato puriso kusaggena udakaṁ uddhareyya.
What do you think, mendicants? Which is more: the water on the tip of the blade of grass, or the water in the lotus pond?”
Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ, yaṁ vā kusaggena udakaṁ ubbhataṁ yaṁ vā pokkharaṇiyā udakan”ti?
“Sir, the water in the lotus pond is certainly more. The water on the tip of a blade of grass is tiny. Compared to the water in the lotus pond, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part.”
“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ, yadidaṁ pokkharaṇiyā udakaṁ. Appamattakaṁ kusaggena udakaṁ ubbhataṁ. Neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upeti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upeti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upeti pokkharaṇiyā udakaṁ upanidhāya kusaggena udakaṁ ubbhatan”ti.
“In the same way, for an individual with comprehension, a noble disciple accomplished in view, the suffering that’s over and done with is more, what’s left is tiny. Compared to the mass of suffering in the past that’s over and done with, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part, since there are at most seven more lives. That’s how very beneficial it is to comprehend the teaching and gain the vision of the teaching.”
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa diṭṭhisampannassa puggalassa abhisametāvino etadeva bahutaraṁ dukkhaṁ yadidaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ; appamattakaṁ avasiṭṭhaṁ. Neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upeti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upeti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upeti purimaṁ dukkhakkhandhaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ upanidhāya, yadidaṁ sattakkhattuṁparamatā. Evaṁ mahatthiyo kho, bhikkhave, dhammābhisamayo; evaṁ mahatthiyo dhammacakkhupaṭilābho”ti.
Dutiyaṁ.
SN 13.3 · Where the Waters Join Together
SN 13.3 · Sambhejjaudakasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.
“Mendicants, there are places where the great rivers—the Ganges, Yamunā, Aciravatī, Sarabhū, and Mahī—join together and converge. Suppose a person was to draw two or three drops of water from such a place.
“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, yatthimā mahānadiyo saṁsandanti samenti, seyyathidaṁ— gaṅgā yamunā aciravatī sarabhū mahī, tato puriso dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni uddhareyya.
What do you think, mendicants? Which is more: the two or three drops drawn out or the water in the confluence?”
Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ, yāni vā dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni yaṁ vā sambhejjaudakan”ti?
“Sir, the water in the confluence is certainly more. The two or three drops drawn out are tiny. Compared to the water in the confluence, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part.”
“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ yadidaṁ sambhejjaudakaṁ; appamattakāni dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni. Neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti sambhejjaudakaṁ upanidhāya dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatānī”ti.
“In the same way, for a noble disciple, the suffering that’s over and done with is more …”
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave …pe… dhammacakkhupaṭilābho”ti.
Tatiyaṁ.
SN 13.4 · Where the Waters Join Together (2nd)
SN 13.4 · Dutiyasambhejjaudakasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.
“Mendicants, there are places where the great rivers—the Ganges, Yamunā, Aciravatī, Sarabhū, and Mahī—join together and converge. Suppose that water dried up and evaporated except two or three drops.
“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, yatthimā mahānadiyo saṁsandanti samenti, seyyathidaṁ— gaṅgā yamunā aciravatī sarabhū mahī, taṁ udakaṁ parikkhayaṁ pariyādānaṁ gaccheyya ṭhapetvā dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni.
What do you think, mendicants? Which is more: the water in the confluence that has dried up and evaporated, or the two or three drops left?”
Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ, yaṁ vā sambhejjaudakaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ yāni vā dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni avasiṭṭhānī”ti?
“Sir, the water in the confluence that has dried up and evaporated is certainly more. The two or three drops left are tiny. Compared to the water in the confluence that has dried up and evaporated, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part.”
“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ sambhejjaudakaṁ yadidaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ; appamattakāni dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni avasiṭṭhāni. Neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti sambhejjaudakaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ upanidhāya dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni avasiṭṭhānī”ti.
“In the same way, for a noble disciple, the suffering that’s over and done with is more …”
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave …pe… dhammacakkhupaṭilābho”ti.
Catutthaṁ.
SN 13.5 · The Earth
SN 13.5 · Pathavīsutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.
“Mendicants, suppose a person was to place seven clay balls the size of jujube seeds on the great earth.
“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso mahāpathaviyā satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā upanikkhipeyya.
What do you think, mendicants? Which is more: the seven clay balls the size of jujube seeds, or the great earth?”
Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ, yā vā satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā upanikkhittā yā vā mahāpathavī”ti?
“Sir, the great earth is certainly more. The seven clay balls the size of jujube seeds are tiny. Compared to the great earth, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part.”
“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ, yadidaṁ mahāpathavī; appamattikā satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā upanikkhittā. Neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti mahāpathaviṁ upanidhāya satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā upanikkhittā”ti.
“In the same way, for a noble disciple, the suffering that’s over and done with is more …”
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave …pe… dhammacakkhupaṭilābho”ti.
Pañcamaṁ.
SN 13.6 · The Earth (2nd)
SN 13.6 · Dutiyapathavīsutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.
“Mendicants, suppose the great earth was worn away and eroded except seven clay balls the size of jujube seeds.
“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, mahāpathavī parikkhayaṁ pariyādānaṁ gaccheyya, ṭhapetvā satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā.
What do you think, mendicants? Which is more: the great earth that has been worn away and eroded, or the seven clay balls the size of jujube seeds that are left?”
Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ, yaṁ vā mahāpathaviyā parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ yā vā satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā avasiṭṭhā”ti?
“Sir, the great earth that has been worn away and eroded is certainly more. The seven clay balls the size of jujube seeds are tiny. Compared to the great earth that has been worn away and eroded, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part.”
“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ, mahāpathaviyā, yadidaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ; appamattikā satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā avasiṭṭhā. Neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti mahāpathaviyā parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ upanidhāya satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā avasiṭṭhā”ti.
“In the same way, for a noble disciple, the suffering that’s over and done with is more …”
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave …pe… dhammacakkhupaṭilābho”ti.
Chaṭṭhaṁ.
SN 13.7 · The Ocean
SN 13.7 · Samuddasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.
“Mendicants, suppose a man was to draw up two or three drops of water from the ocean.
“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso mahāsamuddato dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni uddhareyya.
What do you think, mendicants? Which is more: the two or three drops drawn out or the water in the ocean?”
Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ, yāni vā dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni yaṁ vā mahāsamudde udakan”ti?
“Sir, the water in the ocean is certainly more. The two or three drops drawn out are tiny. Compared to the water in the ocean, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part.”
“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ, yadidaṁ mahāsamudde udakaṁ; appamattakāni dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatāni. Neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti mahāsamudde udakaṁ upanidhāya dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni ubbhatānī”ti.
“In the same way, for a noble disciple, the suffering that’s over and done with is more …”
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave …pe… dhammacakkhupaṭilābho”ti.
Sattamaṁ.
SN 13.8 · The Ocean (2nd)
SN 13.8 · Dutiyasamuddasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.
“Mendicants, suppose the water in the ocean dried up and evaporated except two or three drops.
“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, mahāsamuddo parikkhayaṁ pariyādānaṁ gaccheyya, ṭhapetvā dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni.
What do you think, mendicants? Which is more: the water in the ocean that has dried up and evaporated, or the two or three drops left?”
Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ, yaṁ vā mahāsamudde udakaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ yāni vā dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni avasiṭṭhānī”ti?
“Sir, the water in the ocean that has dried up and evaporated is certainly more. The two or three drops left are tiny. Compared to the water in the ocean that has dried up and evaporated, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part.”
“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ mahāsamudde udakaṁ, yadidaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ; appamattakāni dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni avasiṭṭhāni. Neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti mahāsamudde udakaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ upanidhāya dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni avasiṭṭhānī”ti.
“In the same way, for a noble disciple, the suffering that’s over and done with is more …”
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave …pe… dhammacakkhupaṭilābho”ti.
Aṭṭhamaṁ.
SN 13.9 · A Mountain
SN 13.9 · Pabbatasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.
“Mendicants, suppose a person was to place seven pebbles the size of mustard seeds on the Himalayas, the king of mountains.
“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso himavato pabbatarājassa satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhipeyya.
What do you think, mendicants? Which is more: the seven pebbles the size of mustard seeds, or the Himalayas, the king of mountains?”
Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ, yā vā satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhittā yo vā himavā pabbatarājā”ti?
“Sir, the Himalayas, the king of mountains, is certainly more. The seven pebbles the size of mustard seeds are tiny. Compared to the Himalayas, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part.”
“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ yadidaṁ himavā pabbatarājā; appamattikā satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhittā. Neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti himavantaṁ pabbatarājānaṁ upanidhāya satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhittā”ti.
“In the same way, for a noble disciple, the suffering that’s over and done with is more …”
“Evameva kho …pe… dhammacakkhupaṭilābho”ti.
Navamaṁ.
SN 13.10 · A Mountain (2nd)
SN 13.10 · Dutiyapabbatasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.
“Mendicants, suppose the Himalayas, the king of mountains, was worn away and eroded except seven pebbles the size of mustard seeds.
“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, himavā pabbatarājā parikkhayaṁ pariyādānaṁ gaccheyya, ṭhapetvā satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā.
What do you think, mendicants? Which is more: the portion of the Himalayas, the king of mountains, that has been worn away and eroded, or the seven pebbles the size of mustard seeds that are left?”
Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ, yaṁ vā himavato pabbatarājassa parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ yā vā satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā avasiṭṭhā”ti?
“Sir, the portion of the Himalayas, the king of mountains, that has been worn away and eroded is certainly more. The seven pebbles the size of mustard seeds are tiny. Compared to the Himalayas, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part.”
“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ himavato pabbatarājassa yadidaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ; appamattikā satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā avasiṭṭhā. Neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti himavato pabbatarājassa parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ upanidhāya satta sāsapamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā avasiṭṭhā”ti.
“In the same way, for a noble disciple accomplished in view, an individual with comprehension, the suffering that’s over and done with is more, what’s left is tiny. Compared to the mass of suffering in the past that’s over and done with, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part, since there are at most seven more lives. That’s how very beneficial it is to comprehend the teaching and gain the vision of the teaching.”
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa diṭṭhisampannassa puggalassa abhisametāvino etadeva bahutaraṁ dukkhaṁ yadidaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ; appamattakaṁ avasiṭṭhaṁ. Neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upeti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upeti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upeti purimaṁ dukkhakkhandhaṁ parikkhīṇaṁ pariyādiṇṇaṁ upanidhāya yadidaṁ sattakkhattuṁparamatā. Evaṁ mahatthiyo kho, bhikkhave, dhammābhisamayo, evaṁ mahatthiyo dhammacakkhupaṭilābho”ti.
Dasamaṁ.
SN 13.11 · A Mountain (3rd)
SN 13.11 · Tatiyapabbatasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.
“Mendicants, suppose a person was to place on Sineru, the king of mountains, seven pebbles the size of mung beans.
“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso sinerussa pabbatarājassa satta muggamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhipeyya.
What do you think, mendicants? Which is more: the seven pebbles the size of mung beans, or Sineru, the king of mountains?”
Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ, yā vā satta muggamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhittā yo vā sineru pabbatarājā”ti?
“Sir, Sineru, the king of mountains, is certainly more. The seven pebbles the size of mung beans are tiny. Compared to Sineru, it’s not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part.”
“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ yadidaṁ sineru pabbatarājā; appamattikā satta muggamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhittā. Neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upenti sineruṁ pabbatarājānaṁ upanidhāya satta muggamattiyo pāsāṇasakkharā upanikkhittā”ti.
“In the same way, compared with the achievements of a noble disciple accomplished in view, the achievements of the ascetics, brahmins, and wanderers of other religions is not nearly a hundredth, a thousandth, or a hundred thousandth part. So great is the achievement of the individual accomplished in view, so great is their direct knowledge.”
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa diṭṭhisampannassa puggalassa adhigamaṁ upanidhāya aññatitthiyasamaṇabrāhmaṇaparibbājakānaṁ adhigamo neva satimaṁ kalaṁ upeti na sahassimaṁ kalaṁ upeti na satasahassimaṁ kalaṁ upeti. Evaṁ mahādhigamo, bhikkhave, diṭṭhisampanno puggalo, evaṁ mahābhiñño”ti.
Ekādasamaṁ.
The Linked Discourses on comprehension are complete.
Abhisamayasaṁyuttaṁ samattaṁ.
Tassuddānaṁ
Nakhasikhā pokkharaṇī,sambhejjaudake ca dve;Dve pathavī dve samuddā,tayo ca pabbatūpamāti.