SN 56.61 Aññatra Sutta: Not Reborn as Humans
One day the Buddha, putting a little bit of dirt on his fingernail, asked the monks: “What do you think, monks? Which is more: the little bit of dirt on my fingernail, or this great Earth?”
“Bhante, the great Earth is certainly more. The little bit of dirt on your fingernail is tiny. Compared to the great Earth, it can’t be reckoned or compared; it’s not even a fraction.”
“Monks, in the same way, the beings reborn as humans are few, while those beings not reborn as humans are many. Why is that? It’s because they haven’t seen the Four Noble Truths. What four? The Noble Truth of suffering, the Noble Truth of the origin of suffering, the Noble Truth of the end of suffering, and the Noble Truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.
“Therefore, monks, you should make an effort to understand: ‘This is suffering.’ You should make an effort to understand: ‘This is the origin of suffering.’ You should make an effort to understand: ‘This is the end of suffering.’ You should make an effort to understand: ‘This is the path that leads to the end of suffering.’”
SN 56.62 Paccanta Sutta: Reborn in Faraway Places
One day The Buddha, putting a little bit of dirt on his fingernail, asked the monks: “What do you think, monks? Which is more: the little bit of dirt on my fingernail, or this great Earth?”
“Bhante, the great Earth is certainly more. The little bit of dirt on your fingernail is tiny. Compared to the great earth, it can’t be reckoned or compared; it’s not even a fraction.”
“Monks, in the same way, the beings reborn in the area where the Buddha and enlightened monks frequently travel are few, while those beings reborn in faraway places where the Buddha and enlightened monks don’t travel at all, are many. Why is that? It’s because they haven’t seen the Four Noble Truths. What four? The Noble Truth of suffering, the Noble Truth of the origin of suffering, the Noble Truth of the end of suffering, and the Noble Truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.
“Therefore, monks, you should make an effort to understand: ‘This is suffering.’ You should make an effort to understand: ‘This is the origin of suffering.’ You should make an effort to understand: ‘This is the end of suffering.’ You should make an effort to understand: ‘This is the path that leads to the end of suffering.’”
SN 56.63 Paññā Sutta: Wisdom
“… the beings who have the noble eye of wisdom are few, while those who are ignorant and confused are many. …”
SN 56.64 Surāmeraya Sutta: Intoxicating Drinks and Drugs
“… the beings who refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs that cause negligence are few, while those who don’t refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs are many. …”
SN 56.65 Odakaja Sutta: Beings in Water
“… the beings born on land are few, while those born in water are many. …”
SN 56.66 Matteyya Sutta: Mother
“… the beings who respect their mothers are few, while those who don’t respect their mothers are many. …”
SN 56.67 Petteyya Sutta: Father
“… the beings who respect their fathers are few, while those who don’t respect their fathers are many. …”
SN 56.68 Sāmañña Sutta: Recluses
“… the beings who respect recluses are few, while those who don’t respect recluses are many. …”
SN 56.69 Brahmañña Sutta: Priests
“… the beings who respect priests are few, while those who don’t respect priests are many. …”
SN 56.70 Apacāi Sutta: Elders
“… the beings who honor the elders in the family are few, while those who don’t honor the elders in the family are many. …”
