Verse 170: If a man looks at the world (i.e., the five khandhas) in the same way as one looks at a bubble or a mirage, the King of Death will not find him.
- evam jokam avekkhantam: one who looks at the world in the same way, i.e., looks at the world as being impermanent as a bubble and as non-material as a mirage.
The Story of Five Hundred Bhikkhus
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (170) of this book, with reference to five hundred bhikkhus.
On one occasion, five hundred bhikkhus, after taking a subject of meditation from the Buddha, went into the forest to practise meditation. But they made very little progress; so they returned to the Buddha to ask for a more suitable subject of meditation. On their way to the Buddha, seeing a mirage they meditated on it. As soon as they entered the compound of the monastery, a storm broke out; as big drops of rain fell, bubbles were formed on the ground and soon disappeared. Seeing those bubbles, the bhikkhus reflected “This body of ours is perishable like the bubbles”, and perceived the impermanent nature of the aggregates (khandhas).
The Buddha saw them from his perfumed chamber and sent forth the radiance and appeared in their vision.
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
Verse 170: If a man looks at the world (i.e., the five khandhas) in the same way as one looks at a bubble or a mirage, the King of Death will not find him.
At the end of the discourse, those five hundred bhikkhus attained arahatship.
Dhammapada Verse 170
Pancasatavipassakabhikkhu Vatthu
Yatha pubbulakam passe
yatha passe maracikam
evam lokam avekkhantam1
maccuraja na passati.
Source: Tipitaka
S kumar
Good morning dearest jendhamuni
Just Say Shane
What does it mean to be a Buddha,Christ or a God? What’s the future of Mankind & how do I know I will not be left behind?Where does conscience come from?If energy can’t be created nor can it be destroyed?!?! Why do humans look for beauty on the outside but not within? Why do I as a man have to be miserable but always you will never see me drop my smile because you never know who might be falling in love with me? Why can’t I go home to where I belong? Why must I walk this life in loneliness?
Just Say Shane
As a pacifist, I can never share my secret,lest they take advantage of my peace & strike a severe blow to my face!?! I wonder the earth looking for peaceful people but none are to be found! They say that peace is the way they walk in peace but there actions tell a different story!! How many lifetimes I’ve walked & searched for peaceful people?! None to be found…Ohhhh Sister,my lives are as many as leaves on a tree!I grow faint from looking for peace but my peace from within substains me! So much hate & destruction is all around me! Like hungry lions looking to devour?!? I see my sisters & brothers in turmoil… How should I help them? Much less help Mother Earth? Where’s my daughters & sons? Slain because of lust?’!
Yea
I’m growing old now at the age of 45! Not much time left for me. Perhaps I’ll get it right in the next lifetime?Ancient is my soul & when time becomes crucial that’s when you begin to understand life down here is just a strange illusion!!!! I’ve got no family left & nobody waiting at home. Be thankful for the people in your life dear sister! There’s no need for you to walk this life alone! Beware of lustfull men, they will never have your best intentions in there heart.I’ve played,oh how I’ve played, singing & dancing I’ve done for many woman! But when singing & dancing is over,who will be at your side?Lust only leads to death of a persons heart!But from the ashes I shall rise again… Oh death where is thou sting? Where’s thou power over me?!? I laugh ha… Teach peace to as many people as you can! Let your words & actions inspire the masses. Let nothing stand in your way. Surround yourself with people who truly are peaceful & there actions is all that needs to be said! May peace be upon you always & forever Sister Jen! I’ll always love you as a brother in peace
Shane 🙂
Jayesh Thakkar
Hope you and everyone at home are doing well. No trace of you since a long time. Please take care Jen.
Jendhamuni
Thank you so much. Sorry, I have been so busy. Still trying to catch up…