SA 1162（一一六二） 老夫妇

Thus have I heard:

At one time the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in the Jeta Grove near Śrāvastī.

The World-Honored One, in the morning, put on his robe, took his alms bowl, and entered the city of Śrāvastī to beg for alms. Venerable Ānanda followed behind the World-Honored One.

At that time, there were two elderly men and women, a married couple, who were old and feeble, with bent backs like hooks. They were squatting by the fire at the end of the alleys, burning rubbish.

The World-Honored One saw those two elderly couples, who were old and foolish, with bent backs like hooks, squatting by the fire, like old herons, looking at each other with lustful eyes. Having seen this, he said to Venerable Ānanda, "Do you see those two elderly couples, who are old and foolish, with bent backs like hooks, squatting by the fire, like old herons, looking at each other with lustful eyes?"

Ānanda said to the Buddha, "Yes, World-Honored One!"

The Buddha told Ānanda, "If these two elderly couples had diligently sought wealth when they were young and strong, they could have become the richest elders in Śrāvastī. If they had shaved their heads and beards, put on the monastic robes, and with right faith left home to study the path, diligently practicing, they could have attained the highest fruit of arahantship. If they had diligently sought wealth during their second prime of youth, they could have become the second richest in Śrāvastī. If they had shaved their heads and beards, put on the monastic robes, and with right faith left home to study the path, they could have attained the fruit of non-returner. If they had diligently sought wealth during their third prime of youth, they could have become the third richest in Śrāvastī. If they had shaved their heads and beards, put on the monastic robes, and with right faith left home to study the path, they could have attained the fruit of once-returner. But now, in their old age, their faculties are mature, they have no wealth, no means, no ability, and are no longer capable. If they were to seek wealth, they would not be able to surpass the human condition."

At that time, the World-Honored One spoke a verse, saying:

Because they did not practice the brahma-conduct, they did not obtain the wealth
of youth. Reflecting on past events, they sleep on the ground like a
bent bow. Not practicing the brahma-conduct, they did not obtain the wealth of
youth. It is like an old heron bird guarding death in an empty pond.

Having spoken this sūtra, the Buddha said, "Venerable Ānanda, having heard what the Buddha said, was delighted and accepted it."