9.
The First Discourse on the Mountain Simile
1129.
"Just as, monks, a man might place down seven stone pebbles the size of mustard seeds beside the Himalaya, the king of mountains.
What do you think, monks, which is more -
the seven stone pebbles the size of mustard seeds placed down, or this Himalaya, the king of mountains?"
"This indeed, venerable sir, is more, that is to say -
the Himalaya, the king of mountains;
the seven stone pebbles the size of mustard seeds placed down are insignificant.
They do not amount to a reckoning, they do not bear comparison, they do not amount to a fraction - the seven stone pebbles the size of mustard seeds placed down compared with the Himalaya, the king of mountains."
"So too, monks, for a noble disciple, etc.
exertion is to be done."
The ninth.