Nagarasutta

sn12.65:1.1 At Sāvatthī.

sn12.65:1.2 “Mendicants, before my awakening—when I was still unawakened but intent on awakening—I thought:

sn12.65:1.3 ‘Alas, this world has fallen into trouble. It’s born, grows old, dies, passes away, and is reborn,

sn12.65:1.4 yet it doesn’t understand how to escape from this suffering, from old age and death.

sn12.65:1.5 Oh, when will an escape be found from this suffering, from old age and death?’

sn12.65:1.6 Then it occurred to me:

sn12.65:1.7 ‘When what exists is there old age and death? What is a requirement for old age and death?’

sn12.65:1.8 Then, through rational application of mind, I penetrated with wisdom:

sn12.65:1.9 ‘When rebirth exists there’s old age and death. Rebirth is a requirement for old age and death.’