All things are impermanent

by Premasara EPASINGHE

Aniccavata Sankara - Uppadavaya Dhammino

Uppajjitva Nirujantu - Thesan Upa Samosukho

Impermanent indeed are all things.

Springing up and distraction are their nature.

Being born, they perish.

Relief from this phenomenon is the Ultimate Happiness.

Whenever, Buddhist funeral rites are performed, it is customary for the Bhikkhus to recite the above Pali stanza. They bestow merit on those departed reciting the following stanza, while the grief-stricken family members keep on pouring water, to a receptacle until finally it overflows.

Yathavari Vahapura - Paripurenthu Sagaram

Eva Meva ito Dinnam - Prethanam Upakappati

(Just as the water fills the ocean, the offering made here will benefit the Sub-human beings.- Prethanam Upakappati.)

Everything in the world arises, changes, perishes, nothing remains constant for even a single moment.

No other religious teacher has ever taught us the reality of life - Impermanence. It is the Sublime Truth. It is the crux of Buddhism.

Therefore, let us develop a long enduring mind to get rid of birth and death and attain the ultimate bliss of Nibbana. No one can escape death.

The philosophy of Buddhism can be summed up in one stanza it is in Buddhavagga (stanza or verse 183) Dhammapada.

Sabbapapassa Akaranam

Kusalassa Upasampada

Sacittapariyodapanam

Etam Buddanu Sasanam

To refrain from doing evil; to do good, to cleanse one's mind. This is the teaching of all Buddhas.

The Buddha through compassion to humanity completed his 45 year religious mission and at the age of 80 passed away on a Vesak Full Moon Poya Day at the Upavaratana Sal Grove, in Kusinara.

Ven. Ananda, was not happy that the Buddha preferred Kusinara to breathe His last. He said that Gautama Buddha should have chosen one of the cities such as Sarathi, Rajagaha, Visala, Benares or Champa for the Passing Away.

Maha Sudassana Sutta

The Buddha in response to a question posed by Venerable Ananda Thera, were preached Maha Parinirvana - Maha Sudassana Sutta.'

The Buddha explained as to why He preferred Kusinara as His final place of rest.

Oh, Bhikkhus! In my Sansaric journey, for many Kalpas, I was cremated six times in the very place in Kusinara where my seventh cremation will now take place in this last Birth.

This city was known as Kusavati, the biggest city in India at the time when I was the sole ruler of India. My name was Sudassana. They called me Maha Sudassana or Sudassana the Great.

I was a powerful monarch and had the 'seven most valuable Ratnas:' Chakkraratnaya. Where my power extended to the entire Jambuddipa as the most powerful king. Hastiratnaya I had 84,000 Elephants, Aswaratnaya 84,000 horses, the two leading elephants and the horse had the magical power to soar high above.

I possessed the most valuable gems, diamonds - called Maniratne, human resource development. I was also fortunate to have men, women and exemplary leaders. I possessed Istri Ratnaya, Gahapatiratnaya and Parinayaka Ratnaya. I was the most powerful ruler in India endowed with luxury, pomp and glamour.

I ruled my kingdom according to the Dasaraja Dharma the 10 ways of righteous rule. My queen, consort Subadra was extremely beautiful and had a retinue of 84,000 women to assist her.

I had a staff of 84,000 men. My palace had 84,000 rooms. Just imagine, what a luxurious life I led. Later it dawned on me that all things are impermanent in character and I realised that all these are subject to decay and death.

The queen who was deeply perturbed about the overnight change of the king arrived at the palace gate and addressed the king: "Your Majesty, you are the most powerful ruler in the world.

You possess everything in life, you are the most handsome man in the world. I wish that you will be the most powerful 'Chakravarthi' king in the world.'

Listening to the queen, the king said, "My Dear Queen, I would have really appreciated if you explained to me that life is not at all free of bondage; it is not permanent. I have realised the truth of life impermanence. King Suddasana explained the Maha Suddassana Sutta or Maha Parinirvana Sutta, the state of impermanence to the queen.

Addressing Ananda, his disciple the Buddha said: "This is my last cremation at the city of Kusavati."

On the earlier six occasions too my cremation took place in Kusinara. Therefore, in my final birth as the Gautama Buddha, I preferred the silent city of Kusinara for my last rest. Hereafter I will not be born again. This is my last birth.

In fact, I was King Sudassana who ruled Kusinara, the great city and preached the Anichavata Sankhara to the Bhikkhus.