小诵（Sujato 英译）第 7 阅读页 · KP7 · Outside the Walls

Basic Passages 7Basic Passages 7Outside the WallsOutside the Walls

Outside the walls they stand and wait,Outside the walls they stand and wait,at the junctions and the crossroads.at the junctions and the crossroads.Returning to their former homesReturning to their former homes

they wait beside the door posts.they wait beside the door posts.But when lavish food and drinkBut when lavish food and drinkof many kinds is set out,of many kinds is set out,

no one remembers them at all,no one remembers them at all,because of those beings’s deeds.because of those beings’s deeds.That’s why those who have compassionThat’s why those who have compassion

give to their relativesgive to their relativesfood and drink at the right time,food and drink at the right time,that’s clean, delicious, and suitable.that’s clean, delicious, and suitable.

“May this be for our relatives!“May this be for our relatives!May our relatives be happy!”May our relatives be happy!”Those ghosts who have gathered there,Those ghosts who have gathered there,

the departed relatives who have comethe departed relatives who have comefor the lavish food and drinkfor the lavish food and drinkgratefully express appreciation:gratefully express appreciation:

“May our relatives live long!“May our relatives live long!For those to whom we owe this gain,For those to whom we owe this gain,who have given honor to us,who have given honor to us,

it will not be fruitless for the donor.”it will not be fruitless for the donor.”There is no farming there,There is no farming there,no cow pasture can be found;no cow pasture can be found;

likewise there’s no trading,likewise there’s no trading,and no commerce in gold coin.and no commerce in gold coin.The departed, the dead in that placeThe departed, the dead in that place

live on what is given here.live on what is given here.Just as water that rains on highJust as water that rains on highflows down to the plains,flows down to the plains,

so too what is given hereso too what is given hereaids the departed ghosts.aids the departed ghosts.Just as the rivers fullJust as the rivers full

swell the ocean seasswell the ocean seasso too what is given hereso too what is given hereaids the departed ghosts.aids the departed ghosts.

Thinking: “They gave to me, they did for me,Thinking: “They gave to me, they did for me,they were my family, friend, comrade”,they were my family, friend, comrade”,give offerings to departed kin,give offerings to departed kin,

remembering past deeds.remembering past deeds.For neither tears nor griefFor neither tears nor griefor other lamentationsor other lamentations

are of any use to the departed,are of any use to the departed,so long as their relatives stay like this.so long as their relatives stay like this.This offering that has been given,This offering that has been given,

well placed in the Saṅgha,well placed in the Saṅgha,is for their lasting welfare,is for their lasting welfare,and aids them right away.and aids them right away.

The relative’s duty has now been shown:The relative’s duty has now been shown:how high honor to departed is performed,how high honor to departed is performed,how the mendicants can be kept strong,how the mendicants can be kept strong,

and how no little merit is produced by you.and how no little merit is produced by you.