Eternal Truths: The Buddha's Insights on Life and Mortality

Eternal Truths: The Buddha's Insights on Life and Mortality

Linked Discourse 3.3, Old Age and Death.

At one time in old India, at Savatthi.

Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha, “Sir, for someone who has been born, is there any exemption from old age and death?”

“Great king, for someone who has been born, there’s no exemption from old age and death. Even for well-to-do aristocrats, brahmins, or householders, who are rich, affluent, and wealthy, with lots of gold and silver, lots of houses, properties and assets, lots of money and foods; when they’re born, there’s no exemption from old age and death. 

Even for monks who are perfected, who have ended the defilements, completed the spiritual journey, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, achieved their own goal, utterly ended the fetter of  existence, and are rightly freed through awakening; their bodies are liable to break up and be laid to rest.”

That is what the Buddha said.

Buddha continued:

“Fancy chariots of kings wear out,

and even this body gets old.

But the truth of the good teaching never gets old—

so the virtuous person teaches the good teachings to others.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Middle Length Discourses 6 Wish Discourse | Buddha Words

Middle Length Discourses 6 - Wish Discourse So I have heard.  At one time the Buddha was staying near Savatthi in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapindika’s monastery. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!” “Venerable sir,” they replied.  The Buddha said this: “Mendicants, live by the ethical precepts and the monastic code. Live restrained in the monastic code, conducting yourselves well and seeking alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, keep the rules you’ve undertaken.  A mendicant might wish:  ‘May I be liked and approved by my spiritual companions, respected and admired.’ So let them fulfill their precepts, be committed to inner serenity of the heart, not neglect jhana, be endowed with insight, and frequent empty huts. A mendicant might wish:  ‘May I receive robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.’ So let them fulfill their precepts, be committed to inner serenity of the heart, not neglect jhana, be en...
Read more

How Buddha Battle a Wild Elephant

How Buddha Battle a Wild Elephant At one time in Rajagaha in old India, there was a fierce and man-killing elephant called Nalagiri. Just then Devadatta, A monk who try to split the sangha, a community monk lead by Buddha, entered Rajagaha, went to the elephant stables, and said to the elephant keepers,  “We, who are relatives of the king, are capable of having people promoted and getting them a raise. So then, when the ascetic Gotama comes walking along this street, release the elephant Nalagiri down the street.” “Yes, sir.” Then, one morning, the Buddha robed up, took his bowl and robe, and entered Rajagaha for alms together with a number of monks. And the Buddha walked down that very street. When the elephant keepers saw the Buddha coming, they released Nalagiri down the same street. Nalagiri saw the Buddha coming. He blew his trunk, and with ears and tail bristling, he charged toward the Buddha. When the monks saw Nalagiri coming, they said to the Buddha,  “This eleph...
Read more

Buddha's Insight on human's sufferings due to Senses Delights, Forms, and Feelings

Buddha's Insight on human's sufferings due to Senses Delights, Forms, and Feelings. Middle Length Discourse 13, Longer Speech on Mass of Sufferings. So I have heard.  At one time in old India, the Buddha was staying near Savatthi in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapindika’s monastery. Then, several monks robed up in the morning and, taking their bowls and robes, entered Savatthi for alms foods. Then, it occurred to them, “It’s too early to wander for alms foods in Savatthi. Why don’t we visit the monastery of the wanderers of other religions?”  Then, they went to the monastery of the wanderers of other religions and exchanged greetings with the wanderers there. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, they sat down to one side. The wanderers said to them: “Friends, the ascetic Gotama advocates the complete understanding of senses delights, and so is our teaching.  The ascetic Gotama advocates the complete understanding of forms, and so is our teaching.  The asc...
Read more