Tag Archives: The Bodhisatta And The Thought Of Death

236. The Bodhisatta And The Thought Of Death

Once upon a time when Brahadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born in a brahmin, in a village outside the gates of Benares, and rearing a family he supported them by field labour. He had two children, a son and a daughter and a slave. When the son was grown up, the father brought a wife home for him from a family of equal rank with his own. Thus all the six lived happily and affectionately together. The Bodhisatta thus admonished the other five; “According as you have received, give alms, observe holy days, keep the moral law, live on the thought of death, be mindful of your mortal state. For in the case of beings like ourselves, death is certain, life uncertain; all existing things are transitory and subject to decay. Therefore take heed to your ways day and night.” They readily accepted his teaching and lived earnestly on the thought of death.