The Buddha, Thailand, with devas (Htetg/Flickr.com)"Venerable sir, I was going about my daily affairs like any warrior-caste noble enjoying power, influence, and sensual pleasures with stability and control over the land, an expansive foothold of power over a great area on Earth."
"King, answer as you see fit. Suppose some trusted person were to come from the east and say:
- 'I come from the east where just now I saw a great craft (an irresistible force) as high as the clouds coming this way. It was crushing living beings in its path all along the way. Do as you see fit.'
- Then a second were to say, 'I come from the west...
- Then a third were to say, 'I come from the north...
- Then a fourth were to say, 'I come from the south where I saw a great craft as high as the clouds coming this way. It was crushing living beings in its path all along the way. Do as you see fit.'
"King, if such a danger were to arise, such terrible destruction of human life -- rebirth in the human realm being so hard to obtain -- what would the king do?"
"Venerable sir, as aging and death approach, what else could be done but conduct in accordance with Dharma, proper conduct, profitable (wholesome) karma, making merit?
"There are elephant battles led by warrior-caste rulers exercising power and influence and enjoying sensual pleasures with stability and control over the land, an expansive foothold of power over a great area on Earth. But of what use are elephants in battle when aging and death are approaching? There are cavalry battles... chariot battles... infantry battles... But of what use are horses, chariots, or soldiers in battle when aging and death are approaching?
"In the royal court there are brahmin priests (court chaplains) capable of opposing them by spells [mantras, magic, divination, trances, astrology, curses, occult practices]. But of what use are spells in battle when aging and death are approaching?
"In the royal court there is great wealth stored up in vaults, enough to pay off enemies when they come. But of what use is such wealth in battle when aging and death are approaching?
"Venerable sir, as aging and death approach, what else could be done but conduct in accordance with Dharma, proper conduct, profitable (wholesome) karma, making merit?"
"Just so, king, just so! As aging and death are approaching, what else should one engage in other than conduct in accordance with Dharma, proper conduct, profitable (wholesome) karma, making merit?"
That is what the Buddha, the Tathagata (the Wayfarer, the Welcome One, the Well Gone One), the Teacher summarized:
Like massive crafts,
Ships pressing against the sky,
Moving in from all sides,
Crushing the four directions,
So aging and death
Approach crushing living beings
Whether noble, elite, trader,
Laborer, outcast, or scavenger.
They spare none; they crush everyone.
Neither elephants nor horses,
Neither chariots nor soldiers,
Neither counselors nor wealth can win out
Or hold them back.
So a wise person,
Discerning what is best [for oneself and others],
Steadfast, develops confidence in
The Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha
(The Teacher, Teaching, and Taught).
One who practices in accordance with Dharma
In thought, word, and deed,
Is praised here on Earth
And rejoices hereafter in celestial worlds.
Commentary
Andrew Olendzki translated this verse (as did Ven. Thanissaro). He explains that it emerges from a discussion between the Buddha and King Pasenadi, who generally feels secure behind his four-fold army (elephants, chariots, cavalry, and infantry), his conjurers, and his treasury. The Buddha asks him to imagine a situation -- the fantastic closing in of four irresistible forces -- where all his royal resources will not help him meet the foe. Such is the situation in which we actually all find ourselves. Whether we are rich or poor, aristocrat or laborer, this is what we face even though we are reluctant to admit it.
How do we respond to the inevitable onslaught of aging and death? The answer given in the body of the discourse from the Sutta Nipata is: "What else is there to do, save to live righteously and justly and to work good and meritorious deeds?" The verse summarizes this phrase by saying one should have confidence (another way of translating the word saddham or confirmed-faith, conviction, certainty) in the Triple Gem and practice the Buddha's teaching.
Ever practical, the Buddha often points out that in this way we are covering our bets: There are immediate benefits in this life, and in the next our chances are better of emerging well off.
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