Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

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SECTION XIX.
OLD AGE (JAeAVAGGO).
I. BtTDDHA was residing in tlie Jetavana, at Sr&vastl.
After having eaten, he began to preach the Law of Eternal
Life^ for the benefit of gods and men, in the presence of
the King and his ministers. At this time there were seven
men, Brahmans, who had come from a distance, and
having bowed at the feet of the World-honoured one,
besought him to allow them to dwell near him, and hear
his instructions. Having had the permission, they were
assigned an upper chamber as their dwelling-place.
Having retired there, they began to talk together and
laugh loudly. On hearing this, Buddhd, went to them,
and opened his mouth in these words :
" What ^ (room for) mirth, what (room for) laugh-
ter, remembering the everlasting burning (or fire).
Surely this dark and dreary (world) is not fit for
one to seek security and rest in. Behold this body
in its fashioning ; what reliance can it afibrd as a
resting-place, filled with crowded thoughts, liable
to every disease. Oh ! how is it men do not per-
ceive its false appearances ? When old, then its
beauty fades away ; in sickness, what paleness and
leanness—the skin wrinkled, the flesh withered,
1 " The Law of sweet dew " (ama- fol. 9, under the heading of " Imper-
tain). manence." Compare ver. 146 and ss.
' This verse occurs in Cod. iiL , K. I. of the PMi.
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