1.
The Discourse on the Fingernail Tip
74.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Then the Blessed One, having placed a small amount of soil on his fingernail, addressed the monks -
"What do you think, monks, which is more, this small amount of soil placed by me on my fingernail, or this great earth?"
"This indeed, venerable sir, is more, that is to say, the great earth. The small amount of soil placed by the Blessed One on his fingernail 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 - the small amount of soil placed by the Blessed One on his fingernail compared with the great earth." "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 first.