Jarā Sutta | Sn IV-6

6. Jarā Sutta

Discourse on the Decline

810. This life is short indeed. One may (probably) die within a 100 years; even if one lives to be over 100, one declines, and must die. (1)

811. Man mourns for what he holds dear; but there's none that one could hold forever. Understanding the obvious law of deprivation in life, one should leave lay life. (2)

812. On his death, man leaves behind all the property that he regarded his own.

Understanding this well, the wise, being devoted, (to the Buddha and the Teaching and the Saṅgha), should resist the inclination to possess. (3)

813. Just as one misses on awakening someone he met in his dream, so also one misses the dear departed. (4)

814. Such and such are the names, of certain people whom we've seen in person, heard their names called; when they pass away, only their names are left. (5)

815. Those who are greedy about their valued possessions, cannot get over anxiety, lamentation and envy;

that's why Arahants who have seen the Nibbāna, live a life with little possession. (6)

816. Recoiling from life's temptations, the Bhikkhu seeks solitude, separating himself from snares of neighbourhood. This mode of conduct is noble, the wise say.

And such a Bhikkhu is able to accomplish his role in Saṁsāra. (7)

817. The Muni (Arahant) does not lean on anything, (such as craving or false views), he does not seek to be loved or hated. So he is untouched by either lamentation or envy, just as water cannot wet the lotus leaf. (8)

818. Rain drops cannot stand on the lotus leaf; water also cannot stay on the petals of the Padumā Lotus.

Likewise the Muni (Arahant) remains absolutely untouched, by what is seen, heard, or otherwise perceived. (9)

819. The Arahant who has shaken off all defilements does not have delusions about things seen or heard, or perceived through other sense-bases.

Purity is not attainable otherwise than through the Ārya’s Path, that he's certain.

Not being enchanted (like worldlings) by things, nor losing enchantment, (like the disciple on the Path training) of things, (he is the one who has no enchantment at all). (10)

End of the Sixth Jarā Sutta