Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammaasambuddhassa

Saṃyutta Nikāya
I. Sagātha Vagga
1. Devatā-Saṃyutta
I. Naḷa Vagga

The Section with Verses

Sutta 1

 

The Doomed

Translated from the Pāḷi
by
M. O'C. Walshe

Originally published as
Wheel No. 318-321
Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, 1985.
Volume 3 of
Samyutta Nikaya: An Anthology

Sourced from Access to Insight.
Transcribed from the print edition
by arrangement with the
Buddhist Publication Society.

© 2007

For free distribution only.

 

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[1.1][pts][bodh][upal] Thus have I heard.

At one time the Blessed One was staying near Sāvatthī, at Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's park.

Now a certain deva,^[1] as the night was passing away, lighting up the whole Jeta Grove with his effulgent beauty, approached the Blessed One and, having approached, stood on one side.

Standing thus on one side, the deva spoke this verse before the Blessed One:

Life but leads to doom. Our time is short.
From Decay there's naught can keep us safe.
Contemplating thus the fear of death,
Let's make merit that will bring us bliss.

[The Blessed One replied:]

Life but leads to doom. Our time is short.
From Decay there's naught can keep us safe.
Contemplating thus this fear of death,
Scorn such worldly bait, seek final peace.^[2]

 

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^[1] I render Bhagavā literally as "the Blessed One."

^[2] The Buddha here makes a vital distinction which is valid to this day as marking the difference between the aims of "popular Buddhism" and the serious treading of the Path. "Merit" (puñña) can lead to a happier rebirth, perhaps in one of the deva-worlds, but this too will come to an end. The proper course is to tread the Noble Eightfold Path and gain the "final peace" of Nibbāna. Note, however, the remarks of the Ven. Khantipalo in The Buddhist Monk's Discipline (WH 130/131, p.7): "Puñña is the benefit of increasing purity of mind derived from skillful actions such as generosity, virtue, helpfulness, etc. 'Merit' is an inadequate rendering."