This is as I heard. At one time the Blessed One was staying in the province of Sāvatthī, in Jeta’s park, at Anathapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then, late at night, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Jeta’s park, went up to the Blessed One, bowed, stood to one side, and recited this verse:
“Time flies by fast.
The night turns into dawn
with us nearing old age.
Little by little, the time left to live is lost.
One who sees this fear in death
must do good deeds that bring comfort.”
The Blessed One:
“Time flies by fast.
The night turns into dawn
with us nearing old age.
Little by little, the time left to live is lost.
One who sees this fear in death,
seeking the comfort attained by Nibbāna,
should drop the world’s bait.”
Sādhu! Sādhu!! Sādhu!!!
