法句经（Sujato 英译）第 11 品 · 11. Old Age · DHP 146–156

Minor CollectionMinor CollectionSayings of the Dhamma 146–156Sayings of the Dhamma 146–15611. Old Age11. Old Age

What is joy, what is laughter,What is joy, what is laughter,when the flames are ever burning?when the flames are ever burning?Swathed in darkness,Swathed in darkness,

would you not seek a light?would you not seek a light?See this fancy puppet,See this fancy puppet,a body built of sores,a body built of sores,

diseased, obsessed over,diseased, obsessed over,in which nothing lasts at all.in which nothing lasts at all.This body is decrepit and frail,This body is decrepit and frail,

a nest of disease.a nest of disease.This foul carcass falls apart,This foul carcass falls apart,for life ends in death.for life ends in death.

These dove-grey bonesThese dove-grey bonesare tossed away likeare tossed away likedried gourds in the autumn—dried gourds in the autumn—

what joy is there in such a sight?what joy is there in such a sight?In this city built of bones,In this city built of bones,plastered with flesh and blood,plastered with flesh and blood,

old age and death are stashed away,old age and death are stashed away,along with conceit and contempt.along with conceit and contempt.Fancy chariots of kings wear out,Fancy chariots of kings wear out,

and even this body gets old.and even this body gets old.But the truth of the good never gets old—But the truth of the good never gets old—so the good proclaim to the good.so the good proclaim to the good.

A person of little learningA person of little learningages like an ox—ages like an ox—their flesh grows,their flesh grows,

but not their wisdom.but not their wisdom.Transmigrating through countless rebirths,Transmigrating through countless rebirths,I’ve journeyed without reward,I’ve journeyed without reward,

searching for the house-builder;searching for the house-builder;painful is birth again and again.painful is birth again and again.I’ve seen you, house-builder!I’ve seen you, house-builder!

You won’t build a house again!You won’t build a house again!Your rafters are all broken,Your rafters are all broken,your roof-peak demolished.your roof-peak demolished.

The mind, set on demolition,The mind, set on demolition,has reached the end of cravings.has reached the end of cravings.When young they spurned the spiritual pathWhen young they spurned the spiritual path

and failed to earn any wealth.and failed to earn any wealth.Now they brood like old cranesNow they brood like old cranesin a pond bereft of fish.in a pond bereft of fish.

When young they spurned the spiritual pathWhen young they spurned the spiritual pathand failed to earn any wealth.and failed to earn any wealth.Now they lie like spent arrows,Now they lie like spent arrows,

bemoaning over things past.bemoaning over things past.