“The humans of the land north of Kuru surpass the gods of the thirty-three and the humans of the Black Plum Tree Land in three particulars. What three? They’re selfless and not possessive. They have a fixed lifespan. They have a distinctive nature. The humans of the land north of Kuru surpass the gods of the thirty-three and the humans of the Black Plum Tree Land in these three particulars.
The gods of the thirty-three surpass the humans of the land north of Kuru and the Black Plum Tree Land in three particulars. What three? Heavenly lifespan, beauty, and happiness. The gods of the thirty-three surpass the humans of the land north of Kuru and the Black Plum Tree Land in these three particulars.
The humans of the Black Plum Tree Land surpass the humans of the land north of Kuru and the gods of the thirty-three in three particulars. What three? Bravery, mindfulness, and the spiritual life is lived here. The humans of the Black Plum Tree Land surpass the humans of the land north of Kuru and the gods of the thirty-three in these three particulars.”
Numbered Discourses 9.22 3. Abodes of Sentient Beings A Wild Colt
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Mendicants, I will teach you about three wild colts and three wild people; three excellent horses and three excellent people; and three fine thoroughbred horses and three fine thoroughbred people. Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.
And what are the three wild colts? One wild colt is fast, but not beautiful or well proportioned. Another wild colt is fast and beautiful, but not well proportioned. While another wild colt is fast, beautiful, and well proportioned. These are the three wild colts.