an.3.52 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Two Brahmins (2)

Then two brahmins who were old, aged, burdened with years, advanced in life, come to the last stage, a hundred and twenty years of age, approached the Blessed One … and said to him:

“We are brahmins, Master Gotama, old, aged … a hundred and twenty years of age. But we have not done anything good and wholesome, nor have we made a shelter for ourselves. Let Master Gotama exhort us and instruct us in a way that will lead to our welfare and happiness for a long time!”

“Truly, brahmins, you are old, aged, burdened with years, advanced in life, come to the last stage, a hundred and twenty years of age, but you have not done anything good and wholesome, nor have you made a shelter for yourselves. Indeed, this world is burning with old age, illness, and death. But though the world is burning with old age, illness, and death, when one has departed, bodily, verbal, and mental self-control will provide a shelter, a harbor, an island, a refuge, and a support.”

When one’s house is ablaze
the vessel taken out
is the one that will be useful to you,
not the one that is burnt inside.

So since the world is ablaze
with old age and death,
one should take out by giving:
what is given is well taken out.
When one departs this life,
self-control over body, speech, and mind,
and the deeds of merit one did while alive,
lead to one’s happiness.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Two Brahmins (2nd)

Then two old brahmins—elderly and senior, who were advanced in years and had reached the final stage of life, being a hundred and twenty years old—went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to the Buddha:
“We brahmins, Master Gotama, are old, elderly and senior, we’re advanced in years and have reached the final stage of life; we’re a hundred and twenty years old.
And we haven’t done what is good and skillful, nor have we made a shelter from fear.
Advise us, Master Gotama, instruct us! It will be for our lasting welfare and happiness.”
“Indeed, brahmins, you’re old, elderly and senior.
And you haven’t done what is good and skillful, nor have you made a shelter from fear.
This world is burning with old age, sickness, and death.
But restraint here by way of body, speech, and mind is the shelter, protection, island, refuge, and haven for the departed.
When your house is on fire,
you rescue the pot
that’s useful,
not the one that’s burnt.
And as the world is on fire
with old age and death,
you should rescue by giving,
for what’s given is rescued.
The restraint practiced here—
of body, speech, and mind—
leads the departed to happiness,
as the good deeds done while living.”