KN.DHP146-156 — The Chapter on Old Age

The Story of Visākhā's Companions

What is the laughter, what is the joy, when the world is ever burning?

Shrouded in darkness, why do you not seek the light?

The Story of Sirimā

Behold this painted image, a body full of sores,

Diseased, full of many thoughts, in which there is no permanence.

The Story of the Elder Nun Uttarā

This body is worn out, a nest of diseases, fragile,

This foul mass breaks up, for life ends in death.

The Story of the Proud Disciples

These white bones, like gourds thrown away in autumn,

What delight is there in seeing them?

The Story of the Nun Rūpanandā, the Beauty of the Country

A city of bones is made, plastered with flesh and blood,

Wherein dwell old age and death, pride and deceit.

The Story of Queen Mallikā

The splendid chariots of kings wear out,

And so does the body decay;

But the Dhamma of the good does not decay,

Thus the noble ones declare to the noble.

The Story of the Elder Lāḷudāyī

This man of little learning grows old like an ox;

His flesh increases, but not his wisdom.

The Story of the Utterance

Through many a birth I wandered in saṁsāra, seeking but not finding,

The builder of this house. Sorrowful is repeated birth.

O house-builder, you are seen! You shall build no house again.

All your rafters are broken, your ridgepole is shattered.

My mind has attained the unconditioned;

Achieved is the end of craving.

The Story of the Son of the Wealthy Merchant Mahādhanaseṭṭhi

Having not lived the holy life, nor gained wealth in youth,

They waste away like old herons in a pond without fish.

Having not lived the holy life, nor gained wealth in youth,

They lie like worn-out bows, lamenting the past.

Back