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- Sutta Nipata V.16
- Pingiya-manava-puccha
- Pingiya's Question
- Translated from the Pali by John D. Ireland
- For free distribution only,
by arrangement with the Buddhist Publication Society
- From The Discourse Collection: Selected Texts from the Sutta Nipata (WH 82),
translated by John D. Ireland (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1983).
The Venerable Pingiya: "I am old and feeble, the comeliness of youth has
vanished. My sight is weak and I am hard of hearing. I do not wish to perish whilst still
confused. Teach me the Dhamma by understanding which I may abandon birth and decay."[1]
The Lord: "Seeing heedless people afflicted and suffering through their
bodies, Pingiya, you should be heedful and renounce body so as to not come again to
birth."
Pingiya: "In the ten directions -- the four quarters, four between, and
those above and below -- there is nothing in the world not seen, heard, sensed or
understood by you. Teach me the Dhamma by understanding which I may abandon birth and
decay."
The Lord: "Seeing men caught in craving, Pingiya, tormented and afflicted
by old age, you should be heedful and renounce craving so as to not come again to
birth."
-- vv. 1120-1123
Note
1. Jara: decay, decrepitude, old age. [Go back]