Anthology of Discourses 5.17

The Questions of Piṅgiya

“I am old, feeble, and pallid,”

said Venerable Piṅgiya,

“my eyes unclear, my hearing faint—

don’t let me perish while still confused.

Explain the teaching so that I may understand

the giving up of rebirth and old age here.”

“Seeing them being harmed on account of forms,”

replied the Buddha,

“those negligent folk are inflicted on account of forms—

therefore, Piṅgiya, being diligent,

give up form so as not to be reborn.”

“The four quarters, the intermediate directions,

below, and above: in these ten directions

there’s nothing at all in the world

that you’ve not seen, heard, thought, or cognized.

Explain the teaching so that I may understand

the giving up of rebirth and old age here.”

“Observing mankind sunk in craving,”

replied the Buddha,

“tormented, mired in old age;

therefore, Piṅgiya, being diligent,

give up craving so as not to be reborn.”