English
These are the so-called eight sufferings. 'What is the suffering of birth? When a person dies, they do not know where their spirit will go. Before they are born, they experience the intermediate state (antarabhava), until the parents unite on the twenty-first day (three seven-day periods), and then they are conceived. In the first seven days, it is like thin yogurt; in the second seven days, it is like thick yogurt; in the third seven days, it is like solidified ghee; in the fourth seven days, it is like a lump of flesh; in the fifth seven days, the five organs are formed, and the skillful wind enters the abdomen, blowing the body; in the sixth seven days, the six senses begin to develop, in the mother's womb, below the raw stomach and above the cooked stomach. When the mother eats a cup of hot food, it pours over the body like entering a boiling pot; when the mother drinks a cup of cold water, it is like ice cutting the body; when the mother is full, it presses the body, causing unspeakable pain; when the mother is hungry, the abdomen is empty, like being hung upside down, enduring immeasurable suffering. When the month is full and the time of birth arrives, the head faces the birth canal, and the intense pain is like two stones squeezing a mountain; at the time of birth, the mother is in danger and the father is afraid. When the baby is born and falls on the grass, the body is tender and soft, and the touch of the grass is like stepping on swords, and suddenly the baby cries out loudly. Is this suffering?' Everyone said, 'This is great suffering.' 'What is the suffering of old age? Parents raise their children, and when they grow old, they think they are strong, carrying light loads and bearing heavy ones, without measuring their strength. When it is cold, they are extremely cold; when it is hot, they are extremely hot; when they are hungry, they are extremely hungry; when they are full, they are extremely full, without moderation. Gradually, they reach old age, their hair turns white, their teeth fall out, their eyes become blurred, their hearing declines, the period of strength passes and the period of decline arrives, their skin loosens, their faces wrinkle, their joints ache all over, walking is difficult and extremely painful, sitting and standing require assistance, they are filled with sorrow and grief, their consciousness gradually fades, they forget things quickly, their lifespan decreases day by day, they weep when they speak of it, and they need help to sit and stand. Is this suffering?' The Great King replied, 'Indeed, it is great suffering.' 'What is the suffering of illness? A person's body is composed of the Four Great Elements (Mahabhuta). What are the Four Great Elements? Earth Element (Dadi-dhatu), Water Element (Apo-dhatu), Fire Element (Tejo-dhatu), and Wind Element (Vayo-dhatu). If one element is out of balance, one hundred and one diseases will arise. If all four elements are out of balance, four hundred and four diseases will arise simultaneously. If the Earth Element is out of balance, the whole body will feel heavy; if the Water Element is out of balance, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
举身膀肿；火大不调，举身蒸热；风大不调，举身掘强，百节苦痛，犹被杖楚。四大进退，手足不任，气力虚竭，坐起须人，口燥唇燋，筋断鼻坼，目不见色，耳不闻声，不净流出，身卧其上，心怀苦恼，言辄悲哀，六亲在侧，昼夜看视初不休息，甘膳美食，入口皆苦。此是苦不？” 答言：“实是大苦。” “何谓死苦？人死之时，四百四病，同时俱作，四大欲散，魂魄不安。欲死之时，刀风解形，无处不痛，白汗流出，两手摸空，室家内外，在其左右，忧悲涕泣，痛彻骨髓，不能自胜。死者去之，风去气绝，火灭身冷，风先火次。魂灵去矣，身体侹直，无所复知。旬日之间，肉坏血流，膀胀烂臭，甚不可道，弃之旷野，众鸟啖食，肉尽骨干，髑髅异处。此是苦不？” 答言：“实是大苦。” “何谓恩爱别苦？室家内外，兄弟妻子，共相恋慕，一朝破亡，为人抄劫，各自分张，父东子西，母南女北，非唯一处，为人奴婢，各自悲呼，心内断绝，窈窈冥冥，无有相见之期。此是苦不？” 答言：“实是大苦。” “何谓所求不得苦？家有财钱，散用追求，大官吏民，望得富贵，勤苦求之，求之不止，会遇得之，而作边境令长。未经几时，贪取民物，为人告言，一朝有事，槛车 现代汉语译本 ‘举身膀肿’：全身浮肿；‘火大不调’：体内火气失调，全身发热；‘风大不调’：体内风气失调，全身僵硬抽搐，浑身关节疼痛，就像被棍棒击打一样。‘四大进退’：地、水、火、风四大元素衰退，手脚不能动弹，气力虚弱衰竭，坐立都需要别人扶助，口干舌燥，嘴唇干裂，筋脉断裂，鼻孔塌陷，眼睛看不见东西，耳朵听不见声音，污秽之物流出，身体躺在污秽之上，心中充满痛苦烦恼，说出的话都是悲伤哀叹，亲人在旁，日夜看护，片刻不敢休息，即使是美味佳肴，吃进嘴里也觉得苦涩。这是苦吗？’ 回答说：‘确实是大苦。’ ‘什么叫做死苦？人在临死的时候，四百零四种疾病，同时发作，地、水、火、风四大元素将要离散，魂魄不得安宁。临死的时候，刀风解体，没有一处不痛，冷汗直流，两手在空中乱抓，家人在身边，忧愁悲伤地哭泣，痛苦直透骨髓，无法控制自己。死者离去，风散气绝，火灭身冷，风先散，火随后灭。灵魂离去，身体僵直，什么都不知道了。几天之内，肉腐烂流血，身体肿胀腐臭，非常难闻，被丢弃在荒郊野外，被鸟类啄食，肉被吃光，只剩下骨头，头颅和身体分离。这是苦吗？’ 回答说：‘确实是大苦。’ ‘什么叫做恩爱别离苦？家人、兄弟、妻子，彼此爱恋不舍，一旦遭遇变故，被人抢劫，各自离散，父亲在东，儿子在西，母亲在南，女儿在北，不只一处，沦为奴婢，各自悲伤呼喊，内心痛苦断绝，前途渺茫，没有相见之日。这是苦吗？’ 回答说：‘确实是大苦。’ ‘什么叫做所求不得苦？家里有钱财，花费钱财去追求，希望通过当官或者结交权贵来获得荣华富贵，辛勤劳作去追求，追求不止，即使有机会得到，也只是做了边境的小官。没过多久，因为贪图百姓的财物，被人告发，一旦出事，就被囚车’
English
English version ‘Suffering of the body being swollen; imbalance of the fire element, causing the body to be hot and feverish; imbalance of the wind element, causing the body to be stiff and convulsive, with pain in all joints, as if beaten with a stick. The four great elements (earth, water, fire, wind) decline, the hands and feet become useless, strength is exhausted, one needs help to sit or stand, the mouth is dry, the lips are parched, tendons are broken, the nose collapses, the eyes cannot see colors, the ears cannot hear sounds, impure substances flow out, the body lies upon them, the mind is filled with suffering and distress, words are filled with sorrow and lamentation, relatives are at the side, watching day and night without rest, even delicious food tastes bitter. Is this suffering?’ The answer: ‘Indeed, it is great suffering.’ ‘What is the suffering of death? At the time of death, the four hundred and four diseases arise simultaneously, the four great elements are about to disperse, the soul is restless. At the time of death, the wind of the knife dismembers the body, there is no place without pain, cold sweat flows out, both hands grope in the air, family members are around, weeping with sorrow, the pain pierces the bones, one cannot control oneself. The dying person departs, the wind dissipates, breath ceases, the fire extinguishes, the body becomes cold, the wind goes first, then the fire. The soul departs, the body becomes stiff, and one knows nothing more. Within days, the flesh decays and blood flows, the body swells and rots, it is extremely unpleasant to describe, it is abandoned in the wilderness, eaten by birds, the flesh is gone, only bones remain, the skull is separated from the body. Is this suffering?’ The answer: ‘Indeed, it is great suffering.’ ‘What is the suffering of separation from loved ones? Family members, brothers, wives, and children, cherish each other, but suddenly disaster strikes, they are robbed and scattered, father to the east, son to the west, mother to the south, daughter to the north, not just in one place, reduced to slaves, each cries out in sorrow, the heart is broken, the future is bleak, there is no hope of reunion. Is this suffering?’ The answer: ‘Indeed, it is great suffering.’ ‘What is the suffering of not obtaining what one seeks? One spends money and effort to pursue official positions or to associate with powerful people in the hope of gaining wealth and status, working diligently to pursue it without end, but even if one obtains it, one only becomes a minor official in a remote area. Before long, one is accused of贪取民物 (greedily taking the people's property), and once something happens, one is put in a prison cart’ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
载去，欲杀之时，忧苦无量，不知死活何日。此是苦不？” 答曰：“实是大苦。” “何谓怨憎会苦？世人薄俗，共居爱欲之中，共诤不急之事，更相杀害，遂成大怨，各自相避，隐藏无地，各磨刀错箭挟弓持杖，恐畏相见，会遇迮道相逢，各自张弓㴻箭，两刀相向，不知胜负是谁，当尔之时，怖畏无量。此是苦不？” 答曰：“实是大苦。” “何谓忧悲恼苦？人生在世，长命者乃至百岁，短命者胞胎伤堕。长命之者，与其百岁，夜消其半，余有五十年；在醉酒疾病，不知作人，以减五岁；小时愚痴；十五年中，未知礼仪；年过八十，老钝无智，耳聋目冥，无有法则，复减二十年；已九十年，过余有十岁之中，多诸忧愁，天下欲乱时亦愁，天下旱时亦愁，天下大水亦愁，天下大霜亦愁，天下不熟亦愁，室家内外多诸病痛亦愁，持家财物治生恐失亦愁，官家百调未输亦愁，家人遭县官事闭系牢狱未知出期亦愁，兄弟、妻子远行未归亦愁，居家穷寒无有衣食亦愁，比舍村落有事亦愁，社稷不办亦愁，室家死亡无有财物、殡葬亦愁，至春时种作无有犁牛亦愁，如是种种忧悲，常无乐时，至其节日，共相集聚，应当欢乐，方共悲涕相向。此是苦不？” 答曰：“实是大苦。” 尔时 现代汉语译本 ‘被押走，将要被杀的时候，忧愁痛苦没有限量，不知道哪天会死，或者是否能活下来。这是不是苦呢？’ 回答说：‘确实是大苦。’ ‘什么叫做怨憎会苦（unwanted encounters）？世间之人浅薄庸俗，共同生活在爱欲之中，为了不重要的事情互相争斗，甚至互相残杀，最终结下大仇，各自躲避对方，没有地方可以隐藏，各自磨刀擦箭，拿着弓箭刀杖，害怕相见，在狭窄的道路上相遇，各自张弓搭箭，两把刀互相指着，不知道谁胜谁负，在那个时候，恐惧害怕没有限量。这是不是苦呢？’ 回答说：‘确实是大苦。’ ‘什么叫做忧悲恼苦（sorrow and frustration）？人活在世上，长寿的能活到一百岁，短命的在母胎中就夭折了。长寿的人，就算活到一百岁，夜晚就消耗了一半的时间，还剩下五十年；在醉酒生病，不清醒的时候，又减少五年；小时候愚昧无知，十五年中，不知道礼仪；年纪超过八十岁，老迈迟钝没有智慧，耳聋眼花，没有法则约束，又减少二十年；已经九十年了，还剩下十年，其中又有很多忧愁，天下将要动乱的时候也愁，天下干旱的时候也愁，天下发大水的时候也愁，天下降大霜的时候也愁，天下收成不好的时候也愁，家里内外多病痛也愁，操持家业害怕失去财产也愁，官府的赋税没有交也愁，家人遭遇官司被关进牢狱不知道什么时候能出来也愁，兄弟、妻子远行没有回来也愁，居家贫寒没有衣食也愁，邻居村落有事也愁，祭祀的事情没有办好也愁，家里有人死亡没有财物办理丧事也愁，到了春天要耕种却没有犁牛也愁，像这样种种忧愁悲伤，常常没有快乐的时候，到了节日，大家聚集在一起，本应该欢乐，却一起悲伤哭泣。这是不是苦呢？’ 回答说：‘确实是大苦。’ 这时
English
English version ‘Being taken away and about to be killed, the sorrow and suffering are immeasurable, not knowing when one will die or whether one will live. Is this suffering?’ The answer was: ‘Indeed, it is great suffering.’ ‘What is meant by the suffering of unwanted encounters (怨憎会苦)? People in the world are shallow and vulgar, living together in the midst of love and desire, arguing over trivial matters, even killing each other, thus forming great grudges, each avoiding the other, with no place to hide. Each sharpens knives and arrows, carrying bows and staffs, fearing to meet. Meeting on a narrow road, they draw their bows and aim their arrows, two knives facing each other, not knowing who will win or lose. At that time, the fear is immeasurable. Is this suffering?’ The answer was: ‘Indeed, it is great suffering.’ ‘What is meant by the suffering of sorrow and frustration (忧悲恼苦)? A person living in the world, the long-lived may live to be a hundred years old, the short-lived may die in the womb. The long-lived, even if they live to be a hundred years old, half of their time is spent in the night, leaving fifty years. Being drunk and sick, not knowing how to be a person, reduces it by five years. Being foolish in childhood, for fifteen years, not knowing etiquette. After eighty years old, being old and dull with no wisdom, deaf and blind, with no rules to follow, reduces it by another twenty years. Already ninety years have passed, leaving ten years, in which there are many sorrows. When the world is about to be in turmoil, there is sorrow; when the world is in drought, there is sorrow; when the world is in flood, there is sorrow; when the world has heavy frost, there is sorrow; when the world has a bad harvest, there is sorrow; when there are many illnesses inside and outside the home, there is sorrow; holding onto family property and managing life, fearing loss, there is sorrow; not having paid the official taxes, there is sorrow; family members encountering official matters, being imprisoned, not knowing when they will be released, there is sorrow; brothers and wives traveling far away and not returning, there is sorrow; living in poverty with no food or clothing, there is sorrow; when there are matters in the neighboring villages, there is sorrow; when the community sacrifices are not properly performed, there is sorrow; when there are deaths in the family and no property for funerals, there is sorrow; when spring comes and there is no ox for plowing, there is sorrow. Like this, there are all kinds of sorrows and sadness, with no time for joy. When it comes to festivals, gathering together, they should be happy, but instead, they weep together. Is this suffering?’ The answer was: ‘Indeed, it is great suffering.’ At that time --------------------------------------------------------------------------------