Buddhist Holy Day Dhamma (13/08/2026)
There are, bhikkhus, these three perils that separate mother and son. What three?
The peril of old age, the peril of illness, and the peril of death.
(1) “When the son is growing old, the mother cannot fulfill her wish: ‘Let me grow old, but may my son not grow old!’ And when the mother is growing old, the son cannot fulfill his wish: ‘Let me grow old, but may my mother not grow old!’
(2) “When the son has fallen ill, the mother cannot fulfill her wish: ‘Let me fall ill, but may my son not fall ill!’ And when the mother has fallen ill, the son cannot fulfill his wish: ‘Let me fall ill, but may my mother not fall ill!’
(3) “When the son is dying, the mother cannot fulfill her wish: ‘Let me die, but may my son not die!’ And when the mother is dying, the son cannot fulfill his wish: ‘Let me die, but may my mother not die!’
“These are the three perils that separate mother and son.”
AN 3.62 Perils (Bhikkhu Bodhi)
