Trough many of samsara’s births
I hasten seeking, finding not
the builder of this house:
pain is birth again, again.
Explanation: This tour, this cycle of existence, has run through numerous births without encountering, the builder, the creator of the world and self. For repeated birth is painful. Continue reading “Verse 153. Seeing The Builder of The House”
Just as the ox grows old
so this man of little learning:
his fleshiness increases,
his wisdom doesn’t grow.
Explanation: The person who has scarcely heard the Teaching grows in physique, like a fattened bull. Although his body grows, his self understanding does not. Continue reading “Verse 152. Body Fattens – Mind Does Not”
Even royal chariots rot,
the body too does rot, decay,
but undecaying’s Dhamma of the Good
who to the good declare.
Explanation: Such beautiful and attractive objects as the carriages of kings also disintegrate. The human body too decays. But, the experience of truth never decays. The calm ones experience this truth. Continue reading “Verse 151. Buddha’s Teaching Never Decays”
This city’s made of bones
plastered with flesh and blood,
within are stored decay and death,
besmearing and conceit.
Explanation: This body is made of bones which form its structure. This bare structure is plastered and filled with flesh and blood. Inside this citadel are deposited decay, death, pride and ingratitude. Continue reading “Verse 150. The Body Is A City Of Bones”
These dove-hued bones
scattered in Fall,
like long white gourds,
what joy in seeing them?
Explanation: In the dry autumnal season, one can see bones and skulls strewn around. These dry grey-hued skulls are like gourds thrown here and there. Seeing this, whoever will lust? Continue reading “Verse 149. A Sight That Stops Desire”
All decrepit is this body,
diseases’ nest and frail;
this foul mass is broken up
for life does end in death.
Explanation: This form – this body – is fully broken down. It is truly a den of diseases. It disintegrates easily. Out of its nine orifices, putrid matter oozes constantly. It breaks apart. Death puts an end to it. Continue reading “Verse 148. Life Ends In Death”
See this body beautiful
a mass of sores, a congeries,
much considered but miserable
where nothing’s stable, nothing persists.
Explanation: This body has no permanent existence. It is in fact a body of sores. It is diseased. It is propped up by many kinds of bones. It is considered by many to be good. It is well thought of by many. It is glamorously made up. Observe the true nature of the body. Continue reading “Verse 147. Behold The True Nature Of The Body”
Why this laughter, why this joy,
when it’s ever blazing?
Shrouded all about in gloom
won’t you look for the light?
Explanation: When you are perpetually burning with the flames of passion, what laughter, what pleasure? When you are enveloped in the darkness of ignorance, why do you not seek the light of Wisdom to dispel that darkness? Continue reading “Verse 146. One Pacifying Word Is Noble”
Irrigators govern water,
fletchers fashion shafts,
as joiners shape their timber
those of good conduct tame themselves.
Explanation: Irrigators direct the water. Fletchers shape the arrows. Carpenters shape the wood. The wise consciously control themselves. Continue reading “Verse 145. Those Who Restrain Their Own Mind”
As splendid horse touched with whip,
be ardent, deeply moved,
by faith and virtue, effort too,
by meditation, Dhamma’s search,
by knowledge, kindness, mindfulness;
abandon dukkha limitless!
Explanation: Like a well-bred horse duly disciplined by the whip, you shall be persistent and earnest. Possessed of devotion, discipline and persistence and with composure examine experience. Attain to conscious response with well established introspection.
