Sutta Nipāta
5
Sutta 16. Pingiya-manava-puccha Sutta

[pali] [faus]

Pingiya's Question

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

For free distribution only.

 

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Pingiya:

I'm old and weak,
my complexion dull.
I've blurry eyes
and trouble hearing,
but may I not perish deluded,
            confused!
Teach me the Dhamma
so that I may know
the abandoning here
    of birth and aging.

The Buddha:

Seeing people suffering
on account of their bodies --
    heedless people are oppressed
    on account of their bodies --
then heedful, Pingiya,
let go of the body
    for the sake of no further becoming.

Pingiya:

In the four cardinal directions,
the four intermediate,
above and below
    -- the ten directions --
there is nothing in the world
    unseen, unheard,
    unsensed, uncognized by you.
Teach me the Dhamma
so that I may know
the abandoning here
    of birth and aging.

The Buddha:

Seeing people,
    victims of craving --
    aflame, overwhelmed with aging --
then heedful, Pingiya,
let go of craving
    for the sake of no further becoming.