Uttarādhyayana Sūtra 10

The Leaf of the Tree

As the fallow leaf of the tree falls to the ground, when its days are gone, even so the life of men (will come to its close); Gautama, be careful all the while!

As a dew-drop dangling on the top of a blade of Kusa-grass lasts but a short time, even so the life of men; Gautama, be careful all the while!

As life is so fleet and existence so precarious, wipe off the sins you ever committed; Gautama, human birth for a living being; hard are the consequences of actions; Gautama, &c.

When the soul has once got into an earth-body, it may remain in the same state as long as an Asamkhya; Gautama, &c.

When the soul has once got into a water-body, &c. (all as in verse).

When a soul has once got into a fire-body, &c. (all as in verse).

When the soul has once got into a wind-body, &c. (all as in verse).

When the soul has once got into a vegetablebody, it remains long in that state, for an endless time, after which its lot is not much bettered; Gautama, &c.

When the soul has once got into a body of a Dvindriya (i.e. a being possessing two organs of sense), it may remain in the same state as long as a period called samkhyêya; Gautama, &c.

When the soul has once got into a body of a Trindriya (i.e. a being possessing three organs of sense), it, &c. (all as in verse).

When the soul has once got into a body of a Katurindriya (i. e. a being possessing four organs of sense), it, &c. (all as in verse).

When the soul has once got into a body of a Pañkêndriya (i.e. a being possessing five organs of sense), it may remain in the same state as long as seven or eight births; Gautama, &c.

When the soul has once got into the body of a god or of a denizen of hell, it may remain in that state one whole life; Gautama, &c.

Thus the soul which suffers for its carelessness, is driven about in the Samsâra by its good and bad Karman; Gautama, &c.

Though one be born as a man, it is a rare chance to become an Arya; for many are the Dasyus and Mlêkkhas; Gautama, &c.

Though one be born as an Arya, it is a rare chance to possess all five organs of sense; for we see many who lack one organ or other; Gautama, still it is a rare chance to be instructed in the best Law; for people follow heretical teachers; Gautama, &c.

Though he may have been instructed in the right Law, still it is a rare chance to believe in it; for many people are heretics; Gautama, &c.

Though one believe in the Law, he will rarely practise it; for people are engrossed by pleasures; Gautama, &c.

When your body grows old, and your hair turns white, the power of your ears decreases; Gautama, &c.

When your body grows old, and your hair turns white, the power of your eyes decreases; Gautama, &c.

When your body grows old, and your hair turns white, the power of your nose decreases.

When your body grows old, and your hair turns white, the power of your tongue decreases.

When your body grows old, and your hair turns white, the power of your touch decreases.

When your body grows old, and your hair turns white, all your powers decrease.

Despondency, the king's evil, cholera, mortal diseases of many kinds befall you; your body wastes and decays; Gautama, &c.

Cast aside from you all attachments, as the (leaves of) a lotus let drop off the autumnal water, exempt from every attachment, Gautama, be careful all the while!

Give up your wealth and your wife; you have entered the state of the houseless; do not, as it were, return to your vomit; Gautama, &c.

Leave your friends and relations, the large fortune you have amassed; do not desire them a second time; Gautama, &c.

There is now no Gina, but there is a highly esteemed guide to show the way; now being on the right path, Gautama, be careful all the while!

Now you have entered on the path from which the thorns have been cleared, the great path; walk in the right path; Gautama, &c.

Do not get into an uneven road like a weak burden-bearer; for you will repent of it afterwards; Gautama, &c.

You have crossed the great ocean; why do you halt so near the shore? make haste to get on the other side; Gautama, &c.

Going through the same religious practices as perfected saints, you will reach the world of perfection, Gautama, where there is safety and perfect happiness; Gautama, &c.

The enlightened and liberated monk should control himself, whether he be in a village or a town, and he should preach to all the road of peace; Gautama, &c.

Having heard the Buddha's well-delivered sermon, adorned by illustrations, Gautama cut off love and hatred and reached perfection. Thus I say.