The Five Remembrances

[fletcher]

The Buddha's Five Remembrances.


I am of the nature to grow old.
There is no way to escape growing old.

I am of the nature to have ill health.
There is no way to escape ill health.

I am of the nature to die.
There is no way to escape death.

All that is dear to me and everyone I love
are the nature to change.

There is no way to escape
being separated from them.

My actions are my only true belongings.
I cannot escape the consequences of my actions.

My actions are the ground upon which I stand.


This is Thich Nhat Hanh's version of the 5 remembrances. I've seen a few different versions on the internet, does anyone have a link to the Buddha's orignal?

With gratitude
Gary

[Aloka]

Hi Gary,

This is probably the sutta :

AN 5.57 Upajjhatthana Sutta: Subjects for Contemplation


"There are these five facts that one should reflect on often, whether one is a woman or a man, lay or ordained. Which five?

"'I am subject to aging, have not gone beyond aging.' This is the first fact that one should reflect on often, whether one is a woman or a man, lay or ordained.

"'I am subject to illness, have not gone beyond illness.' ...

"'I am subject to death, have not gone beyond death.' ...

"'I will grow different, separate from all that is dear and appealing to me.' ...

"'I am the owner of my actions,heir to my actions, born of my actions, related through my actions, and have my actions as my arbitrator. Whatever I do, for good or for evil, to that will I fall heir.' ...

"These are the five facts that one should reflect on often, whether one is a woman or a man, lay or ordained.


CONTINUED HERE

With metta.

Aloka

[fletcher]

That's great Aloka, thank you.

With gratitude
Gary