ABSTRACT
1. On a certain occasion, when Buddha was residing at Śrâvastî, there was a certain rich Brahman, eighty years old, who had built himself a large house, in ignorance of the impermanency of earthly things, in prospect of a long life. Buddha sent Ânanda to this man, and knowing that his death was near, he inquired why he had built such a house with so many apartments ; and on the man giving his reasons, and explaining the several purposes of the numerous chambers, then the World-honoured repeated these gâthâs :
“‘I have children and wealth,’ such is the constant thought of the fool. He is not even his own master (or, himself)—what, then, are his children and his money? If it is hot, it will be so ; if it is cold, it will be so. Many are the anxieties of the foolish man, but yet he knows nothing of the changes of the future. The fool who knows not his extreme folly yet claims knowledge ; the fool who says he is wise is foolish indeed.”
