{"collection":"Anguttara Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_an3.80/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_an3.80","id":"suttacentral_an3.80","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/an3.80/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Anguttara Nikaya","Early Buddhist Texts"],"text":"Then Venerable \u0100nanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: \u201cSir, I have heard and learned this in the presence of the Buddha: \u2018\u0100nanda, the Buddha Sikh\u012b had a disciple named Abhibh\u016b. Standing in the realm of divinity, he could make his voice heard throughout the thousandfold galaxy.\u2019 I wonder how far a Blessed One, a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha can make their voice heard?\u201d \u201cHe was a disciple, \u0100nanda. Realized Ones are immeasurable.\u201d For a second time \u2026 For a third time, \u0100nanda said to the Buddha: \u201c\u2026 I wonder how far a Blessed One, a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha can make their voice heard?\u201d \u201c\u0100nanda, have you heard of a thousandfold lesser world system, a galaxy?\u201d \u201cNow is the time, Blessed One! Now is the time, Holy One! Let the Buddha speak. The mendicants will listen and remember it.\u201d \u201cWell then, \u0100nanda, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.\u201d \u201cYes, sir,\u201d \u0100nanda replied. The Buddha said this: \u201c\u0100nanda, a galaxy extends a thousand times as far as the moon and sun revolve and the dazzling ones light up the quarters. In that galaxy there are a thousand moons, a thousand suns, a thousand Sinerus king of mountains, a thousand Black Plum Tree Lands, a thousand lands west of God\u0101var\u012b, a thousand lands north of Kuru, a thousand lands east of Videha, four thousand oceans, four thousand great kings, a thousand realms of the gods of the four great kings, a thousand realms of the gods of the thirty-three, of the gods of Yama, of the joyful gods, of the gods who love to create, of the gods who control what is created by others, and a thousand realms of divinity. This is called a thousandfold lesser world system, a \u2018galaxy\u2019. A world system that extends for a thousand galaxies is called a millionfold middling world system, a \u2018galactic cluster\u2019. A world system that extends for a thousand galactic clusters is called a billionfold great world system, a \u2018galactic supercluster\u2019. If he wished, \u0100nanda, a Realized One could make his voice heard throughout a galactic supercluster, or as far as he wants.\u201d \u201cBut how would the Buddha make his voice heard so far?\u201d \u201cFirst, \u0100nanda, a Realized One would fill the galactic supercluster with light. When sentient beings saw the light, the Realized One would project his call so that they\u2019d hear the sound. That\u2019s how a Realized One could make his voice heard throughout a galactic supercluster, or as far as he wants.\u201d When he said this, Venerable \u0100nanda said, \u201cI\u2019m so fortunate, so very fortunate, to have a teacher with such power and might!\u201d When he said this, Venerable Ud\u0101y\u012b said to Venerable \u0100nanda, \u201cWhat is it to you, Reverend \u0100nanda, if your teacher has such power and might?\u201d When he said this, the Buddha said to Venerable Ud\u0101y\u012b, \u201cNot so, Ud\u0101y\u012b, not so! If \u0100nanda were to die while still not free of greed, he would rule as king of the gods for seven lifetimes, or as king of the Black Plum Tree Land for seven lifetimes, because of the confidence of his heart. However, \u0100nanda will be fully extinguished in this very life.\u201d","title":"Lesser","tradition":"Anguttara Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":542}