Nakhasikha Sutta: The Tip of the Fingernail SN13.1
Jul 31, 2012 13:21:00 GMT 1
Post by Anne Terri on Jul 31, 2012 13:21:00 GMT 1
SN 13.1
PTS: S ii 133
CDB i 621
Nakhasikha Sutta: The Tip of the Fingernail
translated from the Pali by
Thanissaro Bhikkhu
© 1999–2012
I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi at Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Then the Blessed One, picking up a little bit of dust with the tip of his fingernail, said to the monks, "What do you think, monks? Which is greater: the little bit of dust I have picked up with the tip of my fingernail, or the great earth?"
"The great earth is far greater, lord. The little bit of dust the Blessed One has picked up with the tip of his fingernail is next to nothing. It's not a hundredth, a thousandth, a one hundred-thousandth — this little bit of dust the Blessed One has picked up with the tip of his fingernail — when compared with the great earth."
"In the same way, monks, for a disciple of the noble ones who is consummate in view, an individual who has broken through [to stream-entry], the suffering & stress that is totally ended & extinguished is far greater. That which remains in the state of having at most seven remaining lifetimes is next to nothing: it's not a hundredth, a thousandth, a one hundred-thousandth, when compared with the previous mass of suffering. That's how great the benefit is of breaking through to the Dhamma, monks. That's how great the benefit is of obtaining the Dhamma eye."
Provenance:
©1999 Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Transcribed from a file provided by the translator.
This Access to Insight edition is ©1999–2012.
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How to cite this document (one suggested style): "Nakhasikha Sutta: The Tip of the Fingernail" (SN 13.1), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight, 8 June 2010, www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn13/sn13.001.than.html . Retrieved on 31 July 2012.