9.
The First Discourse on Life Span
145.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground.
There the Blessed One addressed the monks thus:
"Monks."
"Venerable sir," those monks assented to the Blessed One.
The Blessed One said this:
"Short, monks, is the life span of human beings. The next world must be gone to; wholesome deeds should be done; the holy life should be lived. There is no deathlessness for one who is born. One who, monks, lives long, lives a hundred years or a little more."
Then Māra the Evil One approached the Blessed One; having approached, he addressed the Blessed One in verse -
One should live like one fed on milk, there is no coming of death."
One should live as if one's head were on fire, there is no non-coming of death."
Then Māra etc. disappeared right there.