Sutta Nipata V.16

Pingiya-manava-puccha

Pingiya's Question


Pingiya:

I'm old & 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 & 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 & 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 & 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.