6.
The Second Discourse on Earth
79.
He was dwelling at Sāvatthī, etc.
"Just as, monks, the great earth would be eliminated and brought to an end, except for seven clay balls the size of jujube stones.
What do you think, monks, which is more, what has been eliminated and brought to an end of the great earth, or the seven clay balls the size of jujube stones remaining?"
"This indeed, venerable sir, is more, of the great earth, that is to say, what has been eliminated and brought to an end; the seven clay balls the size of jujube stones remaining are insignificant. They do not amount to a hundredth fraction, they do not amount to a thousandth fraction, they do not amount to a hundred-thousandth fraction - the seven clay balls the size of jujube stones remaining compared with what has been eliminated and brought to an end of the great earth." "So too, monks, etc. the attainment of the eye of the teaching." The sixth.