1.
The First Discourse on Two Brahmins
52. Then two brahmins, old, aged, advanced in years, having traversed the span of life, having reached the final stage of life, one hundred and twenty years old by birth, approached the Blessed One; having approached, they exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One. Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, they sat down to one side. Seated to one side, those brahmins said this to the Blessed One - "We are, Master Gotama, brahmins, old, aged, advanced in years, having traversed the span of life, having reached the final stage of life, one hundred and twenty years old by birth; and we have not done what is good, have not done what is wholesome, have not made a shelter for the fearful. Let Master Gotama exhort us, let Master Gotama instruct us for what would be for our welfare and happiness for a long time."
"Truly you, brahmins, are old, aged, advanced in years, having traversed the span of life, having reached the final stage of life, one hundred and twenty years old by birth; and you have not done what is good, have not done what is wholesome, have not made a shelter for the fearful. This world, brahmins, is being carried away by ageing, by illness, by death. When the world is thus being carried away, brahmins, by ageing, by illness, by death, whoever here has self-control by body, self-control by speech, self-control by mind, that is for one who has departed a shelter and a rock cell and an island and a refuge and an ultimate goal."
For one brought to ageing there are no shelters;
Seeing this danger in death,
One should do meritorious deeds that bring happiness.
That is for one who has departed for happiness,
Whatever merit one does while living." The first.