釋迦譜 2.9

2.9

祐觀無常之變甚矣。固有形而莫免也。夫以天尊衛疾而不能延齡。合掌在心而無救理。報盡數終無常對至。是以聖人修長壽之果。而不養蕉沫之身也。

I, Sengyou, observe that the transformations of impermanence are extreme indeed! Truly, whatever has form cannot escape them. For even when the Heavenly Honored One guarded against sickness, He could not prolong his life; and though hands were joined at the heart, there was no principle by which to rescue him. When the retribution is exhausted and the destined span ends, impermanence arrives to meet one. Therefore, the sage cultivates the fruit of long life and does not nurture a body of plantain and foam.