釋迦譜 1.400

1.400

爾時太子。與諸官屬前後導從。出城東門。國中人民聞太子出。男女盈路觀者如雲。時淨居天化作老人。頭白背傴拄杖贏步。太子即便問從者言。此為何人。從者答言。此老人也。太子又問。何謂為老。答曰。此人昔日曾經嬰兒童子。少年遷謝不住。遂至根熟形變色衰。飲食不消氣力虛微。坐起苦極餘命無幾。故謂為老。太子又問。唯此一人老。一切皆然。從者答言。一切皆悉應當如此。爾時太子聞是語已。生大苦惱而自念言。日月流邁。時變歲移。老至如電。身安足恃。我雖富貴豈獨免耶。云何世人而不怖畏。太子從本已來不樂處世。又聞此事益生厭離。即迴車還愁思不樂。時王聞已心懷煎憂。恐其學道。更增妓女。以時娛樂之。

At that time, the prince, escorted before and behind by various officials and attendants, went out through the eastern gate of the city. When the people of the country heard that the prince was going out, men and women filled the streets, and spectators were like clouds. Then a Śuddhāvāsa god transformed into an old man with white hair and a hunched back, leaning on a staff and walking feebly. The prince immediately asked his attendant, "What kind of person is this?" The attendant answered, "This is an old man." The prince asked again, "What is meant by 'old'?" He answered, "In the past, this person was once an infant, a child, and a youth. As time shifted and departed without staying, his faculties eventually matured, his physical form changed, and his color faded. His food and drink do not digest, his breath and strength are deficient and faint, sitting and rising are extremely painful, and little remains of his life. Therefore he is called 'old'." The prince asked again, "Is this person alone old, or is everyone like this?" The attendant answered, "Everyone without exception will become like this." When the prince heard these words, great affliction arose within him, and he thought to himself: "Days and months flow and pass; seasons alter and years move on. Old age arrives like lightning; how can the body be relied upon? Though I am noble and wealthy, how could I alone be exempt? Why do worldly people feel no dread?" From the very beginning, the prince had taken no joy in worldly life, and hearing of this matter caused him to feel even greater revulsion and detachment. He immediately turned his carriage back, sorrowful and displeased. When the king heard of this, his heart was scorched with anxiety, fearing that he might pursue the Path. He added more courtesans to amuse him in due season.