Sn 5.16

Pingiya-manava-puccha: Pingiya's Question

translated from the Pali by

John D. Ireland

Alternate translation: Thanissaro

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."

The Venerable 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."

Note

1 .: Jara: decay, decrepitude, old age.

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How to cite this document (a suggested style): "Pingiya-manava-puccha: Pingiya's Question" (Sn 5.16), translated from the Pali by John D. Ireland. Access to Insight (BCBS Edition) , 30 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.5.16.irel.html .