SN 45-56 The Group of Connected Discourses on the Path – Mahāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 56 Linked Discourses on the Truths – Saccasaṁyutta > SN 56.61 Not Human

Linked Discourses 56.61 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 56.61

7. Abbreviated Texts on Raw Grain – 7. Paṭhamaāmakadhaññapeyyālavagga

SN 56.61 Not Human – Aññatrasutta

Then the Buddha, picking up a little bit of dirt under his fingernail, addressed the bhikkhū:

Atha kho bhagavā parittaṁ nakhasikhāyaṁ paṁsuṁ āropetvā bhikkhū āmantesi:

“What do you think, bhikkhū?

“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

Which is more: the little bit of dirt under my fingernail, or this great earth?”

katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ—yo vāyaṁ mayā paritto nakhasikhāyaṁ paṁsu āropito, ayaṁ vā mahāpathavī”ti?

“Sir, the great earth is certainly more. The little bit of dirt under your fingernail is tiny.

“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ, yadidaṁ—mahāpathavī; appamattakāyaṁ bhagavatā paritto nakhasikhāyaṁ paṁsu āropito.

Compared to the great earth, it doesn’t count, there’s no comparison, it’s not worth a fraction.”

Saṅkhampi na upeti, upanidhampi na upeti, kalabhāgampi na upeti mahāpathaviṁ upanidhāya bhagavatā paritto nakhasikhāyaṁ paṁsu āropito”ti.

“In the same way, the sentient beings reborn as humans are few, while those not reborn as humans are many.

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, appamattakā te sattā ye manussesu paccājāyanti; atha kho eteva bahutarā sattā ye aññatra manussehi paccājāyanti.

Why is that?

Taṁ kissa hetu?

It’s because they haven’t seen the four noble truths.

Adiṭṭhattā, bhikkhave, catunnaṁ ariyasaccānaṁ.

What four?

Katamesaṁ catunnaṁ?

The noble truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path.

Dukkhassa ariyasaccassa …pe… dukkhanirodhagāminiyā paṭipadāya ariyasaccassa.

That’s why you should practice meditation …”

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yogo karaṇīyo …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yogo karaṇīyo”ti.