諸經要集 18.63

18.63

At that time, all the sinful sentient beings, hearing the Buddha speak in this way, wailed so sorrowfully that the earth shook, their tears falling like rain. They addressed the Buddha, saying: "We only pray that the World-Honoured One will remain long to teach the Dharma, so that beings such as us may attain liberation." The Buddha said: "If I were to remain long, people of slight merit would not plant wholesome roots; they would think that I am always present and would not contemplate impermanence. Good men, just as a young child whose mother is constantly at its side does not think of her as rare to encounter, but when the mother goes away, the child gives rise to yearning and longing, and when the mother then returns, the child rejoices; good men, I am just the same. Knowing the wholesome and unwholesome karmic conditions of sentient beings and their retribution, good or bad, I therefore enter parinirvāṇa." At that time, the World-Honoured One spoke a verse for these sinful sentient beings: