7.
The Discourse on an Only Son
17.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Now at that time a certain lay follower's only son, dear and agreeable, had died.
Then several lay followers, with wet clothes and wet hair, during the day, approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. To those lay followers seated to one side, the Blessed One said this: "Why indeed are you, lay followers, with wet clothes and wet hair, coming here during the day?"
When this was said, that lay follower said this to the Blessed One - "My only son, venerable sir, dear and agreeable, has died. Therefore we, with wet clothes and wet hair, are coming here during the day."
Then the Blessed One, having understood this matter, at that time uttered this inspired utterance -
Host of gods and many humans;
Afflicted with misery, subject to loss,
They come under the control of the King of Death.
Diligent, give up dear forms;
They indeed dig up the root of misery,
Death's bait, so hard to overcome." The seventh.