法句譬喻經 1.p16

1.p16

In days of old when Buddha was dwelling in the Bamboo Garden near Rājagriha, preaching the Law, there was a certain Brahmachārin and his three brothers, who had obtained spiritual perception, and thereby knew that after seven days they would have to die. On which they said—"By our spiritual power we can overturn heaven and earth, touch the sun and moon, move mountains, and check the flowing torrent, but yet after all we cannot arrest death.” Then one said, “I will seek out in the depths of ocean this Demon of inconstancy and destroy him.” Another said, “I will rend Mount Sumeru in twain, and enter there to seek this Demon of inconstancy to destroy him.” Another said, “I will mount into remotest space to seek the Demon of inconstancy and destroy him.” Another said, “I will enter the bowels of the earth to seek him and destroy him.” The King of the country having heard of these men, came to Buddha to inquire respecting the point, on which the Honoured of the world explained that there were four things which, whilst we are in the world (yin), cannot be escaped. 1st. It is impossible to avoid birth in some form or other; 2d, Having been born it is impossible to escape old age; 3d, When old, it is impossible to escape infirmity and disease; 4th, Under these circumstances, it is impossible to escape death—and then he added these verses and said—