The Buddha teaches the four noble truths regarding the earth (1st), urging mendicants to practice for direct knowledge of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path.

SN 56.55 The Earth (1st)

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso mahāpathaviyā satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā upanikkhipeyya.

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā upanikkhittā, ayaṁ mahāpathavī”ti?

“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ, yadidaṁmahāpathavī; appamattikā satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā upanikkhittā. Saṅkhampi na upenti, upanidhampi na upenti, kalabhāgampi na upenti mahāpathaviṁ upanidhāya satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā upanikkhittā”ti.

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa …pe…

yogo karaṇīyo”ti.

Pañcamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso mahāpathaviyā satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā upanikkhipeyya.

“Mendicants, suppose a person was to place seven clay balls the size of jujube seeds on the great earth.

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

What do you think, mendicants?

katamaṁ nu kho bahutaraṁ satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā upanikkhittā, ayaṁ mahāpathavī”ti?

Which is more: the seven clay balls the size of jujube seeds, or the great earth?”

“Etadeva, bhante, bahutaraṁ, yadidaṁmahāpathavī; appamattikā satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā upanikkhittā.

“Sir, the great earth is certainly more. The seven clay balls the size of jujube seeds are tiny.

Saṅkhampi na upenti, upanidhampi na upenti, kalabhāgampi na upenti mahāpathaviṁ upanidhāya satta kolaṭṭhimattiyo guḷikā upanikkhittā”ti.

Compared to the great earth, they don’t count, there’s no comparison, they’re not worth a fraction.”

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa …pe…

“In the same way, for a noble disciple …

yogo karaṇīyo”ti.

That’s why you should practice meditation …”

Pañcamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Cultivation

Cultivation

The active practice of 'bringing into being' wholesome states. It is the deliberate nurturing of the bright state of mind.

Also known as: development, improvement, meditation, nurturing, growth
Pāli: bhāvanā
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Jhana

Jhana

An abiding with a steady, collected awareness that is attained through seclusion from the five hindrances and unwholesome mental states. When supported by right view, a jhāna can be a basis for the wearing away of taints and directing the mind toward the vision of Nibbāna.

Also known as: meditation, undistracted awareness, absorption, mental absorption
Pāli: jhāna, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Last updated on July 27, 2026