Sutta Nipāta
5
Sutta 16. Pingiya-manava-puccha Sutta
Pingiya's Question
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
For free distribution only.
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.
