Saɱyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
56. Sacca Saɱyutta
11. Gatiyo Pañcakā
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
5. The Great Chapter
56. Kindred Sayings about the Truths
11. The Five Destinies
Suttas 102-131
Translated by F. L. Woodward
Copyright The Pali Text Society
Commercial Rights Reserved
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Sutta 102
Manussa-Cuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Humans (1)
[102.1][than][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
[397] It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when laid beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing as human beings,
are reborn among human beings:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing as human beings,
are reborn in Purgatory.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 103
Manussacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Humans (2)
[103.1][than][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing as human beings,
are reborn among human beings:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing as human beings,
are reborn in the womb of an animal.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 104
Manussacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Humans (3)
[104.1][than][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing as human beings,
are reborn among human beings:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing as human beings,
that are reborn in the Realm of Ghosts.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 105
Manussacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Humans (4)
[105.1][than][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing as human beings,
are reborn among the Devas:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing as human beings,
are reborn in purgatory.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 106
Manussacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Humans (5)
[106.1][than][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing as human beings,
are reborn among the Devas:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing as human beings,
are reborn in the womb of an animal.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 107
Manussacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Humans (6)
[107.1][than][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing as human beings,
are reborn among the Devas:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing as human beings,
are reborn in the Realm of Ghosts.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 108
Devacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Devas (1)
[108.1][than][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing as Devas,
are reborn among the Devas:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing as Devas,
are reborn in Purgatory.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 109
Devacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Devas (2)
[109.1][than][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing as Devas,
are reborn among the Devas:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing as Devas,
are reborn in the womb of an animal.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 110
Devacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Devas (3)
[110.1][than][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing as Devas,
are reborn among the Devas:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing as Devas,
are reborn in the Realm of Ghosts.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 111
Devacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Devas (4)
[111.1][than][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing as Devas,
are reborn among human beings:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing as Devas,
are reborn are reborn in Purgatory.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 112
Devacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Devas (5)
[112.1][than][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing as Devas,
are reborn among human beings:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing as Devas,
are reborn are reborn in the womb of an animal.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 113
Devacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Devas (6)
[113.1][than][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing as Devas,
are reborn among human beings:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing as Devas,
are reborn are reborn in the Realm of Ghosts.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 114
Nirayacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing from Purgatory (1)
[114.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from Purgatory,
are reborn among human beings:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from Purgatory,
are reborn in Purgatory.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 115
Nirayacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing from Purgatory (2)
[115.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from Purgatory,
are reborn among human beings:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from Purgatory,
are reborn in the womb of an animal.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 116
Nirayacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing from Purgatory (3)
[116.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from Purgatory,
are reborn among human beings:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from Purgatory,
are reborn in the Realm of Ghosts.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 117
Nirayacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing from Purgatory (4)
[117.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from Purgatory,
are reborn among Devas:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from Purgatory,
are reborn in Purgatory.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 118
Nirayacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing from Purgatory (5)
[118.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from Purgatory,
are reborn among Devas:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from Purgatory,
are reborn in the womb of an animal.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 119
Nirayacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing from Purgatory (6)
[119.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from Purgatory,
are reborn among Devas:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from Purgatory,
are reborn in the Realm of Ghosts.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 120
Tiracchānacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Animals (1)
[120.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from life as animals,
are reborn among human beings:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from as animals,
are reborn in Purgatory.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 121
Tiracchānacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Animals (2)
[121.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from life as animals,
are reborn among human beings:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from as animals,
are reborn in the womb of an animal.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 122
Tiracchānacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Animals (3)
[122.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from life as animals,
are reborn among human beings:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from as animals,
are reborn in the Realm of Ghosts.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 123
Tiracchānacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Animals (4)
[123.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from life as animals,
are reborn among Devas:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from as animals,
are reborn in Purgatory.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 124
Tiracchānacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Animals (5)
[124.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from life as animals,
are reborn among Devas:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from as animals,
are reborn in the womb of an animal.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 125
Tiracchānacuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing as Animals (6)
[125.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from life as animals,
are reborn among Devas:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from as animals,
are reborn in the Realm of Ghosts.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 126
Petticuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing from the Realm of Ghosts (1)
[126.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from the Realm of ghosts,
are reborn among human beings:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from the Realm of ghosts,
are reborn in Purgatory.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 127
Petticuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing from the Realm of Ghosts (2)
[127.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from the Realm of ghosts,
are reborn among human beings:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from the Realm of ghosts,
are reborn in the womb of an animal.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 128
Petticuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing from the Realm of Ghosts (3)
[128.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from the Realm of ghosts,
are reborn among human beings:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from the Realm of ghosts,
are reborn in the Realm of Ghosts.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 129
Petticuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing from the Realm of Ghosts (4)
[129.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from the Realm of ghosts,
are reborn among Devas:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from the Realm of ghosts,
are reborn in Purgatory.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 130
Petticuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing from the Realm of Ghosts (5)
[130.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from the Realm of ghosts,
are reborn among Devas:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from the Realm of ghosts,
are reborn in the womb of an animal.
What is the cause of that?
It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Sutta 131
Petticuti Suttaɱ
Deceasing from the Realm of Ghosts (6)
[131.1][olds] THUS have I heard:
Then the Exalted One,
taking up a little dust
on the tip of his finger-nail,
said to the monks:
"Now what think ye, monks?
Which is the greater,
this little dust I have taken up
on the tip of my finger-nail,
or this mighty earth?"
"Greater, lord, is this mighty earth.
Exceeding small
is this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's fingernail:
it cannot be reckoned,
it cannot be compared therewith.
It does not come to the merest fraction
of a part of it
when set beside the mighty earth, -
this little dust taken up
on the tip of the Exalted One's finger-nail."
"Just so, monks,
few indeed are those beings that,
deceasing from the Realm of ghosts,
are reborn among Devas:
more numerous are these beings that,
deceasing from the Realm of ghosts,
are reborn in the Realm of Ghosts.
What is the cause of that?
[399] It is through not seeing four Ariyan truths.
What four?
The Ariyan truth of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.
Wherefore, monks, an effort must be made to realize:
'This is Ill'.
'This is the arising of Ill.'
'This is the ceasing of Ill.'
This is the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill.'"
Here Ends Saɱyutta Nikāya
or
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
