2.
The Discourse on the Pond
75.
He was dwelling at Sāvatthī, etc.
"Just as, monks, there might be a pond fifty yojanas in length, fifty yojanas in breadth, fifty yojanas in depth, full of water, filled to the brim so that a crow could drink from it.
From that a man might draw up water with the tip of a blade of kusa grass.
What do you think, monks, which is more, the water drawn up with the tip of a blade of kusa grass or the water in the pond?"
"This indeed, venerable sir, is more, that is to say, the water in the pond. The water drawn up with the tip of a blade of kusa grass is insignificant. It does not amount to a hundredth fraction, it does not amount to a thousandth fraction, it does not amount to a hundred-thousandth fraction - compared with the water in the pond, the water drawn up with the tip of a blade of kusa grass." "So too, monks, for a noble disciple, a person accomplished in right view, one who has fully realised, this indeed is more suffering, that is to say, what has been eliminated and brought to an end; what remains is insignificant. It does not amount to a hundredth fraction, it does not amount to a thousandth fraction, it does not amount to a hundred-thousandth fraction - compared with the former mass of suffering that has been eliminated and brought to an end, that is to say, having seven rebirths at the utmost. Thus of great benefit, monks, is the full realisation of the teaching; thus of great benefit is the attainment of the eye of the teaching." The second.