Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

Yo ca vassasataṃ jīve,

dussīlo asamāhito;

Ekāhaṃ jīvitaṃ seyyo,

sīlavantassa jhāyino.

Even so someone could live a hundred years, but does so

Neglecting Sīla and mentally not collected,

It is better if one would live a single day,

Embracing Sīla and meditating.

Yo ca vassasataṃ jīve,

duppañño asamāhito;

Ekāhaṃ jīvitaṃ seyyo,

paññavantassa jhāyino.

Even so someone could live a hundred years, but does so

Without wisdom and mentally not collected,

It is better if one was to live a single day,

Filled with wisdom and meditating.

Yo ca vassasataṃ jīve,

apassaṃ udayabbayaṃ;

Ekāhaṃ jīvitaṃ seyyo,

passato udayabbayaṃ.

Even so someone could live a hundred years, but does so

Ignorant of the nature of arising and disappearing,

It is better if one was to live a single day,

And realise the nature of arising and disappearing.

Yo ca vassasataṃ jīve,

kusīto hīnavīriyo;

Ekāhaṃ jīvitaṃ seyyo,

vīriyamārabhato daḷhaṃ.

Even so someone could live a hundred years, but does so

Slothful and lacking energy,

It is better if one was to live a single day

With firm and unyielding energy.

Yo ca vassasataṃ jīve,

apassaṃ amataṃ padaṃ;

Ekāhaṃ jīvitaṃ seyyo,

passato amataṃ padaṃ.

Even so someone could live a hundred years, but does so

Not realizing the deathless path,

It is better if one was to live a single day,

And realizes the deathless path.

Yo ca vassasataṃ jīve,

apassaṃ dhammamuttamaṃ;

Ekāhaṃ jīvitaṃ seyyo,

passato dhammamuttamaṃ.

Even so someone could live a hundred years, but does so

Not realizing the true Dhamma,

It is better if one was to live a single day,

And realizes the true Dhamma.