8.
The Ganges Discourse
131.
He was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove.
Then a certain brahmin approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One.
Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, that brahmin said this to the Blessed One -
"How many, Master Gotama, cosmic cycles have gone by and passed?"
"Many, brahmin, are the cosmic cycles that have gone by and passed.
They are not easy to reckon -
'so many cosmic cycles, or so many hundreds of cosmic cycles, or so many thousands of cosmic cycles, or so many hundreds of thousands of cosmic cycles.'"
"But is it possible, Master Gotama, to make a simile?" "It is possible, brahmin," the Blessed One said. "Just as, brahmin, from where this river Ganges originates and where it reaches the great ocean, the sand in between is not easy to reckon - 'so many grains of sand, or so many hundreds of grains of sand, or so many thousands of grains of sand, or so many hundreds of thousands of grains of sand.' More numerous than that, brahmin, are the cosmic cycles that have gone by and passed. They are not easy to reckon - 'so many cosmic cycles, or so many hundreds of cosmic cycles, or so many thousands of cosmic cycles, or so many hundreds of thousands of cosmic cycles.' What is the reason for this? This wandering in the round of rebirths, brahmin, is without discernible beginning. A first point is not discerned of beings hindered by ignorance, fettered by craving, transmigrating and wandering in the round of rebirths. Thus for a long time, brahmin, suffering has been experienced, acute suffering has been experienced, disaster has been experienced, the cemetery has been increased. This is enough, brahmin, to become disenchanted with all activities, enough to become dispassionate, enough to become liberated."
When this was said, that brahmin said this to the Blessed One - "Excellent, Master Gotama, excellent, Master Gotama! Etc. May Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge from this day forth for life." The eighth.