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Dhammapada
- Dhammapada 11
- Old Age
- translated by Acharya Buddharakkhita
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146. When this world is ever ablaze, why this laughter, why this jubilation?
Shrouded in darkness, will you not see the light?
147. Behold this body -- a painted image, a mass of heaped up
sores, infirm, full of hankering -- of which nothing is lasting or stable!
148. Fully worn out is this body, a nest of disease, and
fragile. This foul mass breaks up, for death is the end of life.
149. These dove-colored bones are like gourds that lie
scattered about in autumn. Having seen them, how can one seek delight?
150. This city (body) is built of bones, plastered with flesh
and blood; within are decay and death, pride and jealousy.
151. Even gorgeous royal chariots wear out, and indeed this
body too wears out. But the Dhamma of the Good does not age; thus the Good make it known
to the good.
152. The man of little learning grows old like a bull. He
grows only in bulk, but, his wisdom does not grow.
153. Through many a birth in samsara have I wandered in vain,
seeking in the builder of this house (of life). Repeated birth is indeed suffering!
154. O house-builder, you are seen! You will not build this
house again. For your rafters are broken and your ridgepole shattered. My mind has reached
the Unconditioned; I have attained the destruction of craving. [13]
155. Those who in youth have not led the holy life, or have
failed to acquire wealth, languish like old cranes in the pond without fish.
156. Those who in youth have not lead the holy life, or have
failed to acquire wealth, lie sighing over the past, like worn out arrows (shot from) a
bow.