法苑珠林 64.67

64.67

又雜阿含經云。爾時世尊以爪上土告諸比丘。於意云何。我爪上土多為大地土多。比丘白佛。世尊爪上土甚少少耳。其大地土無量無數不可為比。佛告諸比丘。如是眾生能數數下至一彈指頃。於一切眾生修習慈心。有如甲上土耳。其諸眾生不能數數下至如一彈指頃。於一切眾生修習慈心者。如大地土。是故諸比丘。常當數數於一切眾生修習慈心。又修行道地經偈云。

Furthermore, the Saṃyuktāgama states: At that time, the World-Honoured One, taking up soil upon his fingernail, addressed the bhikṣus: 'What do you think? Is there more soil upon my fingernail, or is there more soil in the great earth?' The bhikṣus said to the Buddha: 'The soil upon the World-Honoured One's fingernail is exceedingly little, whereas the soil of the great earth is measureless, innumerable, and beyond comparison.' The Buddha said to the bhikṣus: 'Likewise, those sentient beings who can repeatedly—even for the duration of a single snap of the fingers—cultivate loving-kindness toward all sentient beings are like the soil upon my fingernail. Those sentient beings who cannot repeatedly—even for the duration of a single snap of the fingers—cultivate loving-kindness toward all sentient beings are like the soil of the great earth. Therefore, bhikṣus, you should constantly and repeatedly cultivate loving-kindness toward all sentient beings.' Furthermore, verses in the Yogācārabhūmi-sūtra say: