经集（Sujato 英译）第 43 阅读页 · SNP3.8 · The Dart

Anthology of Discourses 3.8Anthology of Discourses 3.8The DartThe Dart

Unforeseen and unknownUnforeseen and unknownis the extent of this mortal life—is the extent of this mortal life—hard and shorthard and short

and bound to pain.and bound to pain.There is no way thatThere is no way thatthose born will not die.those born will not die.

On reaching old age death follows:On reaching old age death follows:such is the nature of living creatures.such is the nature of living creatures.As ripe fruitAs ripe fruit

are always in danger of falling,are always in danger of falling,so mortals once bornso mortals once bornare always in danger of death.are always in danger of death.

As clay potsAs clay potsmade by a pottermade by a potterall end up being broken,all end up being broken,

so is the life of mortals.so is the life of mortals.Young and old,Young and old,foolish and wise—foolish and wise—

all go under the sway of death;all go under the sway of death;all are destined to die.all are destined to die.When those overcome by deathWhen those overcome by death

leave this world for the next,leave this world for the next,a father cannot protect his son,a father cannot protect his son,nor relatives their kin.nor relatives their kin.

See how, while relatives look on,See how, while relatives look on,wailing profusely,wailing profusely,mortals are led away one by one,mortals are led away one by one,

like a cow to the slaughter.like a cow to the slaughter.And so the world is strickenAnd so the world is strickenby old age and by death.by old age and by death.

That is why the attentive do not grieve,That is why the attentive do not grieve,for they understand the way of the world.for they understand the way of the world.For one whose path you do not know—For one whose path you do not know—

not whence they came nor where they went—not whence they came nor where they went—you lament in vain,you lament in vain,seeing neither end.seeing neither end.

If a bewildered person,If a bewildered person,lamenting and self-harming,lamenting and self-harming,could extract any good from that,could extract any good from that,

then those who see clearly would do the same.then those who see clearly would do the same.For not by weeping and wailingFor not by weeping and wailingwill you find peace of heart.will you find peace of heart.

It just gives rise to more suffering,It just gives rise to more suffering,and distresses your body.and distresses your body.Growing thin and pale,Growing thin and pale,

you hurt yourself.you hurt yourself.It does nothing to help the dead:It does nothing to help the dead:your lamentation is in vain.your lamentation is in vain.

Unless a personage gives up grief,Unless a personage gives up grief,they fall into suffering all the more.they fall into suffering all the more.Bewailing those whose time has come,Bewailing those whose time has come,

you fall under the sway of grief.you fall under the sway of grief.See, too, other folk departing,See, too, other folk departing,passing on according to their deeds;passing on according to their deeds;

fallen under the sway of death,fallen under the sway of death,beings flounder while still here.beings flounder while still here.For however they imagine it,For however they imagine it,

it turns out to be something else.it turns out to be something else.Such is separation:Such is separation:see the way of the world!see the way of the world!

Even if a human livesEven if a human livesa hundred years or more,a hundred years or more,they are parted from their family circle,they are parted from their family circle,

they leave this life behind.they leave this life behind.Therefore, having learned from the Perfected One,Therefore, having learned from the Perfected One,dispel lamentation.dispel lamentation.

Seeing the dead and departed, think:Seeing the dead and departed, think:“I cannot escape this.”“I cannot escape this.”As one would extinguishAs one would extinguish

a blazing refuge with water,a blazing refuge with water,so too an attentive one—a wise,so too an attentive one—a wise,astute, and skilled person—astute, and skilled person—

would swiftly blow away grief that comes up,would swiftly blow away grief that comes up,like the wind a tuft of cotton.like the wind a tuft of cotton.One who seeks their own happinessOne who seeks their own happiness

would pluck out the dart from themselves—would pluck out the dart from themselves—the wailing and praying,the wailing and praying,and sadness inside.and sadness inside.

With dart plucked out, unattached,With dart plucked out, unattached,having found peace of mind,having found peace of mind,overcoming all sorrow,overcoming all sorrow,

one is sorrowless and quenched.one is sorrowless and quenched.