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sn.4.10 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Life Span (2)

Opening as in preceding sutta:

Then Mara the Evil One approached the Blessed One and addressed him in verse:

“The days and nights do not fly by,
Life does not come to a stop.
The life span of mortals rolls along
Like the chariot’s felly round the hub.”

The Blessed One:

“The days and nights go flying by,
Life comes to a stop.
The life span of mortals is depleted
Like the water in rivulets.”

Then Mara the Evil One … disappeared right there.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh