buddha daily wisdom image

sn.1.66 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Afflicted

“By what is the world afflicted?
By what is it enveloped?
By what dart has it been wounded?
With what is it always burning?”

“The world is afflicted with death,
Enveloped by old age;
Wounded by the dart of craving,
It is always burning with desire.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh


Beaten Down

“By what is the world beaten down?
By what is it surrounded?
What dart has laid it low?
With what is it always fuming?”
“The world is beaten down by death.
It’s surrounded by old age.
The dart of craving has struck it down.
It’s always fuming with desire.”