法苑珠林 70.37

70.37

Seventh is sickness and emaciation. Flesh is exhausted and bones protrude; the hundred joints all ache as if beaten with rods. The four great elements fluctuate, hands and feet become unusable; breath and strength are depleted, requiring assistance to sit or rise. The mouth dries, lips scorch, sinews snap, and the nose cracks; eyes cannot see forms, ears cannot hear sounds; impurities discharge, and the body lies upon them; the mind harbors anguish, and whatever one says is mournful. Now, looking upon worldly people, full of youth and strength, radiant and bright: when blessings are exhausted, offenses arrive, and impermanence undergoes a hundred transformations. Seeing this distress, I practiced to seek the path, not wishing to undergo it again; this was my seventh teacher. The Buddha then spoke a gāthā, saying: