Nagarasutta 1.1-9

Sāvatthiyaṃ viharati.

At Sāvatthī.
The City

“Pubbe me, bhikkhave, sambodhā anabhisambuddhassa bodhisattasseva sato etadahosi:

“Mendicants, before my awakening—when I was still unawakened but intent on awakening—I thought:
The City

‘kicchā vatāyaṃ loko āpanno jāyati ca jīyati ca mīyati ca cavati ca upapajjati ca.

‘Alas, this world has fallen into trouble. It’s born, grows old, dies, passes away, and is reborn,
The City

Atha ca panimassa dukkhassa nissaraṇaṃ nappajānāti jarāmaraṇassa.

yet it doesn’t understand how to escape from this suffering, from old age and death.
The City

Kudāssu nāma imassa dukkhassa nissaraṇaṃ paññāyissati jarāmaraṇassā’ti?

Oh, when will an escape be found from this suffering, from old age and death?’
The City

Tassa mayhaṃ, bhikkhave, etadahosi:

Then it occurred to me:
The City

‘kimhi nu kho sati jarāmaraṇaṃ hoti, kiṃpaccayā jarāmaraṇan’ti?

‘When what exists is there old age and death? What is a requirement for old age and death?’
The City

Tassa mayhaṃ, bhikkhave, yoniso manasikārā ahu paññāya abhisamayo:

Then, through rational application of mind, I penetrated with wisdom:
The City

‘jātiyā kho sati jarāmaraṇaṃ hoti, jātipaccayā jarāmaraṇan’ti.

‘When rebirth exists there’s old age and death. Rebirth is a requirement for old age and death.’
The City

Translations (3)