Aṇguttara-Nikāya
III. Tika Nipāta
VI. Brāhmaṇa Vagga

Sutta 52 [DTO #53]

Dutiya Dve Brāhmaṇa (Dvejana) Suttaṃ

Two People (2)

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Proofed against and modified in accordance with the revised edition at dhammatalks.org
Provenance, terms and conditons

 

---

 

[52][pts][bodh] On one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Sāvatthi in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery.

Then two brahmans
— feeble old men, aged, advanced in years,
having come to the last stage of life,
120 years old —
went to the Blessed One.

On arrival, they exchanged courteous greetings with him and,
after an exchange of friendly greetings and courtesies, sat to one side.

As they were sitting there,
they said to him:

"Master Gotama, we are brahmans
— feeble old men, aged, advanced in years,
having come to the last stage of life,
120 years old.

And we have done no admirable deeds,
no skillful deeds,
no deeds that allay our fears.

Teach us, Master Gotama.

Instruct us, Master Gotama,
for our long-term benefit and happiness."

"Indeed, brahmans,
you are feeble old men, aged, advanced in years,
having come to the last stage of life,
120 years old.

And you have done no admirable deeds,
no skillful deeds,
no deeds that allay your fears.

This world is on fire with aging, illness, and death.

With the world thus on fire with aging, illness, and death,
any restraint of body, speech, and intellect
practiced here
will be one's shelter, cave, island,
and refuge after death
in the world beyond."

 

---

 

When a house is aflame,
the vessel salvaged
is the one that will be of use,
    not the one left there to burn.

So when the world is on fire
with aging and death,
you should salvage [one's wealth] by giving:
    what's given is well salvaged.

When you're restrained here
    in body, speech, and awareness;
when you make merit while still alive:
    that will be for his bliss after death.