The Buddha uses a simile of seven small pebbles the size of mung beans placed on the great mountain Sineru to contrast the extent of suffering that is exhausted and overcome by a disciple of the noble ones who has attained right view.

Tatiya pabbata sutta - Mountain (Third)

At Sāvatthi.

“Bhikkhus, suppose a person were to place seven small pebbles the size of mung beans on the great mountain |Sineru::mythical mountain at the centre of the universe [sineru]|.

What do you think, bhikkhus? Which is greater: the seven mung-bean-sized pebbles that were placed, or the great mountain Sineru?”

“Venerable sir, the great mountain Sineru is indeed far greater. The seven mung-bean-sized pebbles that were placed are very little. Compared to the great mountain Sineru, the seven pebbles do not amount to a hundredth part, nor a thousandth part, nor even a hundred-thousandth part.”

“Just so, bhikkhus, for the disciple of the noble ones who has attained |right view::view that is in line with the Dhamma - teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [sammādiṭṭhi]|, who has completely penetrated [the four noble truths], this much greater is the |suffering::discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering [dukkha]| that is exhausted and overcome; only a |small::tiny, minute, insignificant [appamattaka]| amount remains. It does not come to a hundredth part, nor to a thousandth part, nor to a hundred-thousandth part of the former mass of suffering that is exhausted and overcome compared to this final state of having at most seven more existences. Thus great, bhikkhus, is the realization of the Dhamma; thus great is the |attainment of the vision of the Dhamma::acquiring insight into the nature of reality [dhammacakkhupaṭilābha]|.”

Last updated on March 27, 2025

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