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Nakhasikha Sutta: The Tip of the Fingernail

Nakhasikha Sutta

Summary: The Buddha offers a simile for the preciousness of this human birth.

SN 20.2 PTS: S ii 263 CDB i 706

Nakhasikha Sutta: The Tip of the Fingernail

translated from the Pali by

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Staying at Savatthi. Then the Blessed One, picking up a little bit of dust with the tip of his fingernail, said to the monks, “What do you think, monks? Which is greater: the little bit of dust I have picked up with the tip of my fingernail, or the great earth?”

“The great earth is far greater, lord. The little bit of dust the Blessed One has picked up with the tip of his fingernail is next to nothing. It doesn't even count. It's no comparison. It's not even a fraction, this little bit of dust the Blessed One has picked up with the tip of his fingernail, when compared with the great earth.

“In the same way, monks, few are the beings reborn among human beings. Far more are those reborn elsewhere. Thus you should train yourselves: 'We will live heedfully.' That's how you should train yourselves.”

See also: Dhp 174.


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en/tipitaka/sut/sn/sn20/sn20.002.than.txt · Last modified: 2019/10/30 13:27 by Johann