法苑珠林 66.36

66.36

如是大王。有四恐畏無能避者。老為大恐畏。肥肉消盡。病為大恐畏。無強健志。死為大恐畏。盡無有壽。恩愛別離為大恐畏。無得求住。此之四大恐畏一切刀杖呪術藥草象馬人民珍寶城郭可救贖者。譬如大雲起雷霹靂斯須還散。人命極短壽極百歲。其中出者少。唯修無常想。除去恩愛。可得度苦。

"Thus, Great King, there are four terrors that no one can avoid: old age is a great terror, causing plump flesh to waste away completely; sickness is a great terror, depriving one of a robust will; death is a great terror, entirely ending one's lifespan; separation from the beloved is a great terror, allowing no way to seek permanence. For these four great terrors, no knives, staffs, incantations, medicinal herbs, elephants, horses, people, precious jewels, or fortified cities can rescue or ransom one. They are like a great cloud rising with thunder and lightning, dispersing again in an instant. Human life is extremely short, with a maximum lifespan of a hundred years, and few among them exceed it. Only by cultivating the perception of impermanence and casting away attachments of love can one cross over suffering."