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Bhikkhus, the beginning of this saṃsāra cannot be known. Suppose a man were to 
gather all the grass, sticks and branches in this continent of Jambudīpa and, having 
cut them into four inch pieces and placed them in a single heap, were to put them 
aside one by one, counting “This is my mother, this is my mother’s mother, this is 
her mother …” That man would exhaust his pile of sticks before he reached the 
beginning of this saṃsāra. Why is this? It is because the beginning of this saṃsāra is 
not to be known. The first point of beings, wandering and passing from existence 
to existence (saṃsarati), obstructed by ignorance and bound by craving, is 
unknowable. For such a long time, bhikkhus, have you endured suffering, pain 
and misery, filling up the cemeteries (SN 15:1).
For such a long time have you wandered and passed from existence to existence 
that the streams of blood flowing from having your head cut off is greater than the 
volume of water in the four great oceans. In this long time, bhikkhus, you have 
existed as cows, oxen, goats, sheep, chickens or pigs and had your head cut off. In 
this long time, you have existed as robbers and thieves and being taken, had your 
head cut off. (SN 15:13).
The beginning of this saṃsāra is not to known. It is not easy to find a being who in 
this great long time has not previously been your mother, your father, your brother, 
your sister, your son or your daughter. For such a long time, bhikkhus, have you 
endured suffering, pain and misery, filling up the cemeteries. Enough! Develop 
weariness (nibbindati) with all formations. Enough! Become dispassionate towards 
them. Enough! Become liberated from them. (SN 15:14 f.)
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