Again and again they sow the seed;
Again and again the farmers plough the fields;
Again and again the land produces grain.
Again and again the beggars come and beg;
Again and again the generous donors give.
Again and again when many gifts are given,
Again and again the donors reach the heavens.
Again and again the dairymen milk the herds;
Again and again the lamb goes to its Mother.
Again and again we weary and we toil;
Again and again the heedless come to birth.
Again and again comes birth, and dying follows;
Again and again are we carried to the grave.
Only by gaining the Path for not returning,
is a person of Wisdom not again and again reborn.
-Samyutta Nikaya (S.VII)
