Then the Buddha, picking up a little bit of dirt on his fingernail, addressed the mendicants: “What do you think, mendicants? Which is more: the little bit of dirt on my fingernail, or this great earth?” “Sir, the great earth is certainly more. The little bit of dirt on your fingernail is tiny. Compared to the great earth, it doesn’t count, there’s no comparison, it’s not worth a fraction.”

“In the same way, the sentient beings reborn in central countries are few, while those reborn in the borderlands, among uneducated foreigners, are many. …”

Linked Discourses 56.63 7. Abbreviated Texts on Raw Grain Wisdom

“… the sentient beings who have the noble eye of wisdom are few, while those who are ignorant and confused are many. …”

Linked Discourses 56.64 7. Abbreviated Texts on Raw Grain Beer and Wine

“… the sentient beings who refrain from intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor, are few, while those who don’t refrain are many. …”

Linked Discourses 56.65 7. Abbreviated Texts on Raw Grain Born in Water

“… the sentient beings born on land are few, while those born in water are many. …”

Linked Discourses 56.66 7. Abbreviated Texts on Raw Grain Respect Mother

“… the sentient beings who respect their mothers are few, while those who don’t are many. …”

Linked Discourses 56.67 7. Abbreviated Texts on Raw Grain Respect Father

“… the sentient beings who respect their fathers are few, while those who don’t are many. …”

Linked Discourses 56.68 7. Abbreviated Texts on Raw Grain Respect Ascetics

“… the sentient beings who respect ascetics are few, while those who don’t are many. …”

Linked Discourses 56.69 7. Abbreviated Texts on Raw Grain Respect Brahmins