7.
The Discourse on the Ocean
80.
He was dwelling at Sāvatthī, etc.
"Just as, monks, a man might draw up two or three drops of water from the great ocean.
What do you think, monks, which is more, the two or three drops of water drawn up or the water in the great ocean?"
"This indeed, venerable sir, is more, that is to say, the water in the great ocean; the two or three drops of water drawn up are trifling. 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 - compared with the water in the great ocean, the two or three drops of water drawn up." "So too, monks, etc. the attainment of the eye of the teaching." The seventh.