Dhammapada 151
Even richly decorated royal chariots wear out, and the body too comes to old age
Even richly decorated royal chariots wear out, and the body too comes to old age. But the Dhamma of the good does not grow old; the good make it known to the good.
Translated from the Pāli by Banya
Pāli
Jīranti ve rājarathā sucittā,
Atho sarīrampi jaraṁ upeti;
Satañca dhammo na jaraṁ upeti,
Santo have sabbhi pavedayanti.
In plain words
Splendid objects wear out, and bodies grow old too. The teaching made known by good people is contrasted with that physical wearing out.
Key words
- dhamma
- teaching, truth — Here it is what the good communicate, not all experience.
The story behind the verse
Queen Mallika and her dog
In the commentary, Queen Mallikā committed a sexual wrongdoing and misled the king about what he had seen. She later regretted the deception, and the commentary says she experienced a brief painful rebirth after death, followed by rebirth among the Tusita gods because of her good deeds. King Pasenadi repeatedly sought to ask the Buddha where she had been reborn, and the Buddha eventually answered him. The Buddha then drew attention to the king’s richly decorated chariots, and he taught that the chariots and bodies wear out, while the teaching of good people does not age in that way.
Retold by Banya from the traditional commentary, after E. W. Burlingame, Buddhist Legends (1921).
To reflect on
What teaching remains valuable even as circumstances change?
Try it today
Recall one useful teaching before making an ordinary decision.
Practise it with
Equanimity (upekkhā)
Explanation by Banya. Traditional readings vary.