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SN 2.19 — Uttara Sutta: Uttara the Deva's Son

translated from the Pāli by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

At Rajagaha. As he was standing to one side, Uttara the deva's son recited this verse in the Blessed One's presence:

Life is swept along, next-to-nothing its span. For one swept on by aging no shelters exist. Perceiving this danger in death, one should do deeds of merit that bring about bliss.

[The Buddha:]

Life is swept along, next-to-nothing its span. For one swept to old age no shelters exist. Perceiving this danger in death, one should drop the world's bait and look for peace.
Copyright © 1998 Thanissaro Bhikkhu. The text of this page (“Uttara Sutta: Uttara the Deva's Son”, by Thanissaro Bhikkhu) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. From Access to Insight (BCBS Edition), 30 November 2013.