0 Source: Savatthi.

1 There are, O bhikkhus, these five unobtainable circumstances [that cannot be obtained] by any samana or brahmana or deva or mara or brahma or any one in the world. Which five?

2 “Let what is liable to old age not grow old.” This is an unobtainable circumstance [that cannot be obtained] by any samana or brahmana or deva or mara or brahma or any one in the world. “Let what is liable to sickness not get sick.” This is an unobtainable circumstance [that cannot be obtained] by any samana or brahmana or deva or mara or brahma or any one in the world. “Let what is liable to death not die.” This is an unobtainable circumstance [that cannot be obtained] by any samana or brahmana or deva or mara or brahma or any one in the world. “Let what is liable to extinction not become extinct.” This is an unobtainable circumstance [that cannot be obtained] by any samana or brahmana or deva or mara or brahma or any one in the world. “Let what is liable to perish not perish.” This is an unobtainable circumstance [that cannot be obtained] by any samana or brahmana or deva or mara or brahma or any one in the world.

3 For the Dhamma-deaf puthujjana, O bhikkhus, what is liable to old age grows old. He does not reflect thus: “I am not the only one for whom what is liable to old age grows old. To the extent that there is a coming, a going, a passing away and an arising of beings, what is liable to old age grows old for all beings. Yet if I were to grieve, be troubled, lament, cry beating my breast and become bewildered over the growing old of what is liable to grow old, I will lose my appetite, my bodily appearance too will look ugly, my work too will come to a halt, my enemies too would be pleased, my friends too would be sad.” He grieves, becomes troubled, laments, cries beating his breast and becomes bewildered over the growing old of what is liable to grow old. This, O bhikkhus, is called the Dhamma-deaf puthujjana struck by the poisonous dart of sorrow who only torments himself.

4 Furthermore, O bhikkhus, for the Dhamma-deaf puthujjana, what is liable to sickness gets sick. He does not reflect thus: “I am not the only one for whom what is liable to sickness gets sick. To the extent that there is a coming, a going, a passing away and an arising of beings, what is liable to sickness gets sick for all beings. Yet if I were to grieve, be troubled, lament, cry beating my breast and become bewildered over the getting sick of what is liable to get sick, I will lose my appetite, my bodily appearance too will look ugly, my work too will come to a halt, my enemies too would be pleased, my friends too would be sad.” He grieves, becomes troubled, laments, cries beating his breast and becomes bewildered over the getting sick of what is liable to get sick. This, O bhikkhus, is called the Dhamma-deaf puthujjana struck by the poisonous dart of sorrow who only torments himself.

5 Furthermore, O bhikkhus, for the Dhamma-deaf puthujjana, what is liable to death dies. He does not reflect thus: “I am not the only one for whom what is liable to death dies. To the extent that there is a coming, a going, a passing away and an arising of beings, what is liable to death dies for all beings. Yet if I were to grieve, be troubled, lament, cry beating my breast and become bewildered over the dying of what is liable to death, I will lose my appetite, my bodily appearance too will look ugly, my work too will come to a halt, my enemies too would be pleased, my friends too would be sad.” He grieves, becomes troubled, laments, cries beating his breast and becomes bewildered over the dying of what is liable to death. This, O bhikkhus, is called the Dhamma-deaf puthujjana struck by the poisonous dart of sorrow who only torments himself.

6 Furthermore, O bhikkhus, for the Dhamma-deaf puthujjana, what is liable to extinction becomes extinct. He does not reflect thus: “I am not the only one for whom what is liable to extinction becomes extinct. To the extent that there is a coming, a going, a passing away and an arising of beings, what is liable to extinction becomes extinct for all beings. Yet if I were to grieve, be troubled, lament, cry beating my breast and become bewildered over the extinction of what is liable to extinction, I will lose my appetite, my bodily appearance too will look ugly, my work too will come to a halt, my enemies too would be pleased, my friends too would be sad.” He grieves, becomes troubled, laments, cries beating his breast and becomes bewildered over the extinction of what is liable to extinction. This, O bhikkhus, is called the Dhamma-deaf puthujjana struck by the poisonous dart of sorrow who only torments himself.

7 Furthermore, O bhikkhus, for the Dhamma-deaf puthujjana, what is liable to perish perishes. He does not reflect thus: “I am not the only one for whom what is liable to perish perishes. To the extent that there is a coming, a going, a passing away and an arising of beings, what is liable to perish perishes for all beings. Yet if I were to grieve, be troubled, lament, cry beating my breast and become bewildered over the perishing of what is liable to perish, I will lose my appetite, my bodily appearance too will look ugly, my work too will come to a halt, my enemies too would be pleased, my friends too would be sad.” He grieves, becomes troubled, laments, cries beating his breast and becomes bewildered over the perishing of what is liable to perish. This, O bhikkhus, is called the Dhamma-deaf puthujjana struck by the poisonous dart of sorrow who only torments himself.

8 For the Dhamma-hearer, O bhikkhus, the noble disciple, what is liable to old age grows old. He reflects thus: “I am not the only one for whom what is liable to old age grows old. To the extent that there is a coming, a going, a passing away and an arising of beings, what is liable to old age grows old for all beings. Yet if I were to grieve, be troubled, lament, cry beating my breast and become bewildered over the growing old of what is liable to grow old, I will lose my appetite, my bodily appearance too will look ugly, my work too will come to a halt, my enemies too would be pleased, my friends too would be sad.” He does not grieve, become trouble, lament, cry beating his breast and become bewildered over the growing old of what is liable to grow old. This, O bhikkhus, is called the noble disciple who has pulled out the poisonous dart by which the Dhamma-deaf puthujjana only torments himself. Sorrowless, free from dart, the noble disciple only completely extinguishes himself.

9 Furthermore, O bhikkhus, for the Dhamma-hearer, the noble disciple, what is liable to sickness gets sick. He reflects thus: “I am not the only one for whom what is liable to sickness gets sick. To the extent that there is a coming, a going, a passing away and an arising of beings, what is liable to sickness gets sick for all beings. Yet if I were to grieve, be troubled, lament, cry beating my breast and become bewildered over the getting sick of what is liable to get sick, I will lose my appetite, my bodily appearance too will look ugly, my work too will come to a halt, my enemies too would be pleased, my friends too would be sad.” He does not grieve, become trouble, lament, cry beating his breast and become bewildered over the getting sick of what is liable to get sick. This, O bhikkhus, is called the noble disciple who has pulled out the poisonous dart by which the Dhamma-deaf puthujjana only torments himself. Sorrowless, free from dart, the noble disciple only completely extinguishes himself.

10 Furthermore, O bhikkhus, for the Dhamma-hearer, the noble disciple, what is liable to death dies. He reflects thus: “I am not the only one for whom what is liable to death dies. To the extent that there is a coming, a going, a passing away and an arising of beings, what is liable to death dies for all beings. Yet if I were to grieve, be troubled, lament, cry beating my breast and become bewildered over the dying of what is liable to death, I will lose my appetite, my bodily appearance too will look ugly, my work too will come to a halt, my enemies too would be pleased, my friends too would be sad.” He does not grieve, become trouble, lament, cry beating his breast and become bewildered over the dying of what is liable to death. This, O bhikkhus, is called the noble disciple who has pulled out the poisonous dart by which the Dhamma-deaf puthujjana only torments himself. Sorrowless, free from dart, the noble disciple only completely extinguishes himself.

11 Furthermore, O bhikkhus, for the Dhamma-hearer, the noble disciple, what is liable to extinction becomes extinct. He reflects thus: “I am not the only one for whom what is liable to extinction becomes extinct. To the extent that there is a coming, a going, a passing away and an arising of beings, what is liable to extinction becomes extinct for all beings. Yet if I were to grieve, be troubled, lament, cry beating my breast and become bewildered over the extinction of what is liable to extinction, I will lose my appetite, my bodily appearance too will look ugly, my work too will come to a halt, my enemies too would be pleased, my friends too would be sad.” He does not grieve, become trouble, lament, cry beating his breast and become bewildered over the extinction of what is liable to extinction. This, O bhikkhus, is called the noble disciple who has pulled out the poisonous dart by which the Dhamma-deaf puthujjana only torments himself. Sorrowless, free from dart, the noble disciple only completely extinguishes himself.

12 Furthermore, O bhikkhus, for the Dhamma-hearer, the noble disciple, what is liable to perish perishes. He reflects thus: “I am not the only one for whom what is liable to perish perishes. To the extent that there is a coming, a going, a passing away and an arising of beings, what is liable to perish perishes for all beings. Yet if I were to grieve, be troubled, lament, cry beating my breast and become bewildered over the perishing of what is liable to perish, I will lose my appetite, my bodily appearance too will look ugly, my work too will come to a halt, my enemies too would be pleased, my friends too would be sad.” He does not grieve, become trouble, lament, cry beating his breast and become bewildered over the perishing of what is liable to perish. This, O bhikkhus, is called the noble disciple who has pulled out the poisonous dart by which the Dhamma-deaf puthujjana only torments himself. Sorrowless, free from dart, the noble disciple only completely extinguishes himself.

13 These, O bhikkhus, are the five unobtainable circumstances [that cannot be obtained] by any samana or brahmana or deva or mara or brahma or any one in the world.

Neither by grieving nor lamenting,
is even the least benefit to be gained; 55
having found out you are afflicted with sorrow,
your enemies become pleased.

Since the wise one in adversity is not shaken,
the knower of his own [benefit] assesses [the situation]; 56
his enemies become dejected,
having seen his former facial expression unchanged.

Wherever one might gain one's benefit,
whether by prayers, well recited mantras, generosity, or traditional means; 57
and in whatever way is possible,
there one should exert oneself in just that way.

But if one should understand:
This benefit cannot be obtained by myself or another; 58
one should endure the situation without sorrow, thinking: “The kamma is strong; what to do now?”

0 sāvatthinidānaṃ

1 pañcimāni bhikkhave alabbhanīyāni ṭhānāni samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā devena vā mārena vā brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmiṃ. katamāni pañca?

2 jarādhammaṃ mā jīrīti alabbhanīyaṃ ṭhānaṃ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā devena vā mārena vā brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmiṃ. vyādhidhammaṃ mā vyādhīyīti alabbhanīyaṃ ṭhānaṃ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā devena vā mārena vā brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmiṃ. maraṇadhammaṃ mā mīyī, ti alabbhanīyaṃ ṭhānaṃ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā devena vā mārena vā brahmunā vā kenavi vā lokasmiṃ. khayadhammaṃ mā khīyīti alabbhaniyaṃ ṭhānaṃ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā devena vā mārena vā brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmiṃ. nassanadhammaṃ mā nassīti alabbhanīyaṃ ṭhānaṃ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā devena vā mārena vā brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmiṃ.

3 assutavato bhikkhave puthujjanassa jarādhammaṃ jīrati. so jarādhamme jiṇṇe na iti paṭisañcikkhati: na kho mayhamevekassa jarādhammaṃ jīrati. atha kho yāvatā sattānaṃ āgati, gati, cuti, upapatti sabbesaṃ sattānaṃ jarādhammaṃ jīrati. ahañceva kho pana jarādhamme jiṇṇe soceyyaṃ, kilameyyaṃ, parideveyyaṃ, urattāḷiṃ kandeyyaṃ, sammohaṃ āpajjeyyaṃ, bhattampi me nacchādeyya. kāyepi dubbaṇṇiyaṃ okkameyya. kammantāpi nappavatteyyuṃ. amittāpi attamanā assu. mittāpi dummanā assū'ti. so jarādhamme jiṇṇe socati, kilamati, paridevati, urattāḷiṃ kandati, sammohaṃ āpajjati. ayaṃ vuccati bhikkhave, assutavā puthujjano viddho savisena sokasallena attānaṃ yeva paritāpeti.

4 puna ca paraṃ bhikkhave assutavato puthujjanassa byādhidhammaṃ byādhīyati so byādhidhamme byādhite na iti paṭisañcikkhati: "na kho mayhamevekassa byādhidhammaṃ byādhīyati. atha kho yāvatā sattānaṃ āgati, gati, cuti, uppatti, sabbesaṃ sattānaṃ byādhidhammaṃ byādhīyati. ahañceva kho pana byādhidhamme byādhite soceyyaṃ, kilameyyaṃ, parideveyyaṃ, urattāḷiṃ kandeyyaṃ, sammohaṃ āpajjeyyaṃ, bhattampi me nacchādeyya. kāyepi dubbaṇṇiyaṃ okkameyya. kammantāpi nappavatteyyuṃ. amittāpi attamanā assu. mittāpi dummanā assū"ti. so byādhidhamme byādhite socati, kilamati, paridevati, urattāḷiṃ kandati, sammohaṃ āpajjati. ayaṃ vuccati bhikkhave assutavā puthujjano viddho savisena sokasallena attānaṃ yeva paritāpeti.

5 puna ca paraṃ bhikkhave assutavato puthujjanassa maraṇadhammaṃ mīyati so maraṇadhamme mate na iti paṭisañcikkhati: "na kho mayhamevekassa maraṇadhammaṃ mīyati. atha kho yāvatā sattānaṃ āgati, gati, cuti, upapatti, sabbesaṃ sattānaṃ maraṇadhammaṃ mīyati. ahañceva kho pana maraṇadhamme mate soceyyaṃ, kilameyyaṃ, parideveyyaṃ, urattāḷiṃ kandeyyaṃ, sammohaṃ āpajjeyyaṃ, bhattampi me nacchādeyya. kāyepi dubbaṇṇiyaṃ okkameyya. kammantāpi nappavatteyyuṃ. amittāpi attamanā assu. mittāpi dummanā assū"ti. so maraṇadhamme mate socati, kilamati, paridevati, urattāḷiṃ kandati, sammohaṃ āpajjati. ayaṃ vuccati bhikkhave assutavā puthujjano viddho savisena sokasallena attānaṃ yeva paritāpeti.

6 puna ca paraṃ bhikkhave assutavato puthujjanassa khayadhammaṃ khīyati so khayadhamme khīṇe na iti paṭisañcikkhati: "na kho mayhamevekassa khayadhammaṃ khīyati. atha kho yāvatā sattānaṃ āgati, gati, cuti, upapatti, sabbesaṃ sattānaṃ khayadhammaṃ khīyati. ahañceva kho pana khayadhamme khīṇe soceyyaṃ, kilameyyaṃ, parideveyyaṃ, urattāḷiṃ kandeyyaṃ, sammohaṃ āpajjeyyaṃ, bhattampi me nacchādeyya. kāyepi dubbaṇṇiyaṃ okkameyya. kammantāpi nappavatteyyuṃ. amittāpi attamanā assu. mittāpi dummanā assū "ti. so khayadhamme khīṇe socati, kilamati, paridevati urattāḷiṃ kandati. sammohaṃ āpajjati. ayaṃ vuccati bhikkhave assutavā puthujjano viddho savisena sokasallena attānaṃ yeva paritāpeti.

7 puna ca paraṃ bhikkhave assutavato puthujjanassa nassanadhammaṃ nassati. so nassanadhamme naṭṭhe na iti paṭisañcikkhati: " na kho mayhamevakassa nassanadhammaṃ nassati. atha kho yāvatā sattānaṃ āgati, gati, cuti, upapatti, sabbesaṃ sattānaṃ nassanadhammaṃ nassati. ahañcema kho pana nassanadhamme naṭṭhe soceyyaṃ, kilameyyaṃ, parideveyyaṃ, urattāḷiṃ kandeyyaṃ, sammohaṃ āpajjeyyaṃ, bhattampi me nacchādeyya. kāyepi dubbaṇṇiyaṃ okkameyya. kammantāpi nappavatteyyuṃ. amittāpi attamanā assu. mittāpi dummanā assū"ti. so nassanadhamme naṭṭhe socati, kilamati, paridevati, urattāḷiṃ kandati, sammohaṃ āpajjati. ayaṃ vuccati bhikkhave assutavā puthujjano viddho savisena sokasallena attānaṃ yeva paritāpeti.

8 sutavato ca kho bhikkhave ariyasāvakassa jarādhammaṃ jīrati. so jarādhamme jiṇṇe iti paṭisañcikkhati: "na kho mayhamevekassa jarādhammaṃ jīrati. atha kho yāvatā sattānaṃ āgati, gati, cuti, uppatti, sabbesaṃ sattānaṃ jarādhammaṃ jīrati. ahañceva kho pana jarādhamme jiṇṇe soceyyaṃ. kilameyyaṃ, parideveyyaṃ, urattāḷiṃ kandeyyaṃ, sammohaṃ āpajjeyyaṃ, bhattampi me nacchādeyya. kāyepi dubbaṇṇiyaṃ okkameyya, kammantāpi nappavatteyyuṃ. amittāpi attamanā assu. mittāpi dummanā assū"ti. so jarādhamme jiṇṇe na socati, na kilamati, na paridevati, na urattāḷiṃ kandati, na sammohaṃ āpajjati. ayaṃ vuccati bhikkhave ariyasāvako abbahī savisaṃ sokasallaṃ yena viddho assutavā puthujjano attānaṃ yeva paritāpeti. asoko visallo ariyasāvako attānaṃ yeva parinibbāpeti.

9 puna ca paraṃ bhikkhave sutavato ariyasāvakassa vyādhidhammaṃ vyādhīyati so vyādhidhamme vyādhite itipaṭisañcikkhati:"na kho mayhamevekassa vyādhidhammaṃ vyādhīyati. atha kho yāvatā sattānaṃ āgati, gati, cuti, upapatti, sabbesaṃ sattānaṃ vyādhidhammaṃ vyādhīyati. ahañceva kho pana vyādhidhamme vyādhite soceyyaṃ, kilameyyaṃ, parideveyyaṃ urattāḷiṃ kandeyyaṃ, sammohaṃ āpajjeyyaṃ, bhattampi me nacchādeyya. kāye pi dubbaṇṇiyaṃ okkameyya. kammantāpi nappavatteyyuṃ. amittāpi attamanā assu. mittāpi dummanā assū"ti. so vyādhidhamme vyādhite na socati, na kilamati na paridevati, na urattāḷiṃ kandati, na sammohaṃ āpajjati. ayaṃ vuccati bhikkhave sutavā ariyasāvako abbahī savisaṃ sokasallaṃ yena viddho assutavā puthujjano attānaṃ yeva paritāpeti. asoko visallo ariyasāvako attānaṃ yeva parinibbāpeti.

10 puna ca paraṃ bhikkhave sutavato ariyasāvakassa maraṇadhammaṃ mīyati so maraṇadhamme mate itipaṭisañcikkhati:"na kho mayhamevekassa maraṇadhammaṃ mīyati. atha kho yāvatā sattānaṃ āgati, gati, cuti, upapatti, sabbesaṃ maraṇadhammaṃ mīyati. ahañceva kho pana maraṇadhamme mate soceyyaṃ, kilameyyaṃ, parideveyyaṃ urattāḷiṃ kandeyyaṃ, sammohaṃ āpajjeyyaṃ, bhattampi me nacchādeyya. kāye pi dubbaṇṇiyaṃ okkameyya. kammantāpi nappavatteyyuṃ. amittāpi attamanā assu. mittāpi dummanā assū"ti. so maraṇadhamme mate na socati, na kilamati na paridevati, na urattāḷiṃ kandati, na sammohaṃ āpajjati. ayaṃ vuccati bhikkhave sutavā ariyasāvako abbahī savisaṃ sokasallaṃ yena viddho assutavā puthujjano attānaṃ yeva paritāpeti. asoko visallo ariyasāvako attānaṃ yeva parinibbāpeti.

11 puna ca paraṃ bhikkhave sutavato ariyasāvakassa khayadhammaṃ khīyati so khayadhamme khīṇe itipaṭisañcikkhati:"na kho mayhamevekassa khayadhammaṃ khīyati. atha kho yāvatā sattānaṃ āgati, gati, cuti, upapatti, sabbesaṃ khayadhammaṃ khīyati. ahañceva kho pana khayadhamme khīṇe soceyyaṃ, kilameyyaṃ, parideveyyaṃ, urattāḷiṃ kandeyyaṃ, sammohaṃ āpajjeyyaṃ, bhattampi me nacchādeyya. kāyepi dubbaṇṇiyaṃ okkameyya. kammantāpi nappavatteyyaṃ. amittāpi attamanā assu. mittāpi dummanā assū "ti. so khayadhamme khīṇe na socati. na kilamati na paridevati, na urattāḷiṃ kandati, na sammohaṃ āpajjati. ayaṃ vuccati bhikkhave ariyasāvako abbahī savisaṃ sokasallaṃ yena viddho assutavā puthujjano attānaṃ yeva paritāpeti. asoko visallo ariyasāvako attānaṃ yeva parinibbāpeti.

12 puna ca paraṃ bhikkhave sutavato ariyasāvakassa nassanadhammaṃ nassati. so nassanadhamme naṭṭhe iti paṭisañcikkhati: " na kho mayhamevekassa nassanadhammaṃ nassati. atha kho yāvatā sattānaṃ āgati, gati, cuti, upapatti, sabbesaṃ nassanadhammaṃ nassati. ahañceva kho pana nassanadhamme naṭṭhe soceyyaṃ, kilameyyaṃ, parideveyyaṃ, urattāḷiṃ kandeyyaṃ, sammohaṃ āpajjeyyaṃ, bhattampi me nacchādeyya. kāye pi dubbaṇṇiyaṃ okkameyya. kammantāpi nappavatteyyuṃ. amittāpi attamanā assu. mittāpi dummanā assū"ti. so nassanadhamme naṭṭhe khīṇe na socati, na kilamati na paridevati, na urattāḷiṃ kandati, na sammohaṃ āpajjati. ayaṃ vuccati bhikkhave sutavā ariyasāvako abbahī savisaṃ sokasallaṃ yena viddho assutavā puthujjano attānaṃ yeva paritāpeti. asoko visallo ariyasāvako attānaṃ yeva parinibbāpetīti.

13 imāni kho bhikkhave pañca alabbhanīyāni ṭhānāni samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena devena vā mārena vā brahmunā kenaci vā lokasminti.

na socanāya na paridevanāya,
attho alabbho api appakopi; 55
socantamenaṃ dukhitaṃ viditvā,
paccatthikā attamanā bhavanti.

yato ca kho paṇḍito āpadāsu,
na vedhati attavinicchayaññū; 56
paccatthikāssa dukhitā bhavanti,
disvā mukhaṃ avikāraṃ purāṇaṃ.

jappena mantena subhāsitena,
anuppadānena paveṇiyā ca; 57
yathā yathā yattha labhetha atthaṃ,
tathā tathā tattha parakkameyya.

sace pajāneyya alabbhaneyyo,
mayā ca aññena vā esa attho; 58
asocamāno adhivāsayeyya,
kammaṃ daḷhaṃ kinti karomidānīti.