Buddham Dhammam

Nakhasikhasutta

SN 20.2

A Fingernail

As the dirt in a fingernail is smaller than the great earth, the beings reborn as humans are few.

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Kulasutta

SN 20.3

Families

As a family with few men and many women is easily attacked, non-human beings may attack a mendicant without love.

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Okkhāsutta

SN 20.4

Cauldrons

Love is more beneficial than generosity.

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Sattisutta

SN 20.5

A Spear

As it is not possible to bend back a spear, it is not possible to overthrow a mendicant who has developed love.

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Dhanuggahasutta

SN 20.6

The Archers

Only a speedster could catch arrows in flight, yet conditioned phenomena perish faster than that.

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Āṇisutta

SN 20.7

The Drum Called Plugger

As an ancient drum has disintegrated, so too will the true teachings disappear.

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Kaliṅgarasutta

SN 20.8

Wood Blocks

Warriors who sleep on wooden pillows remain vigilant, and so it is for the spiritual seeker.

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Nāgasutta

SN 20.9

A Bull Elephant

A mendicant who overly associates with the laity is like an elephant calf who tries to copy the great bull elephants.

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Biḷārasutta

SN 20.10

A Cat

As a cat may suffer from eating too hastily, so a mendicant may suffer by not restraining senses.

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Siṅgālasutta

SN 20.11

A Jackal

A mangy jackal howls in discomfort, but even that would be a good rebirth for some.

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Dutiyasiṅgālasutta

SN 20.12

A Jackal (2nd)

An old jackal howls at dawn, but even they have more gratitude than some

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