Pali Tipitaka Sanyukta Nikaya 13.1A
Topic: The Parable of the Dust and the Earth
On 17th May 2025, a deeply insightful live session was held featuring Datuk Dr. Lim Siow Jin and Dr. Rajesh Savera, exploring a powerful discourse from the Pāli Tipiṭaka’s Saṃyutta Nikāya.
The session centered around a profound moment where the Blessed One (Bhagavā), while residing at Jetavana, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery in Sāvatthī, offered a striking analogy to the assembled monks (bhikkhus). The Buddha took a pinch of dust on the tip of his fingernail and asked:
“What do you think, bhikkhus? Which is greater – the little dust on the tip of my fingernail, or the great earth (mahā pathavī)?”
The monks, of course, replied: “The dust on your fingernail is insignificant compared to the vast earth.”
The Bhagavā then explained that similarly, those beings who are reborn as humans are few, like the dust on the fingernail, while those who are not are vast in number, like the great earth. This teaching underscores the rare and precious opportunity of human birth, urging us to walk the path of Dhamma with urgency and mindfulness.
What makes this human life so precious? It’s the unique opportunity to cultivate wisdom, practice mindfulness, and awaken to the nature of reality.
This sutta invites urgency and reflection. If human life is rare, then every moment becomes meaningful. Every breath is a chance to move toward awakening.
To watch this session, please click the link below:
