[Verse 1]
The days roll by like rivers to the sea,
No yesterday returns to you or me.
The hair turns silver, seasons come and go,
And time reveals the truths we need to know.
The things we love may someday disappear,
The ones we hold may not forever be near.
No wealth can buy the years we've left behind,
No earthly treasure stops the hands of time.
[Pre-Chorus]
We come into this world, we leave someday,
No human hand can make time stay.
So while the light of life is shining through,
Let kindness be the work we choose to do.
[Chorus]
Life is but a moment, let your heart be free,
Don't let your chains of longing steal your peace.
Love with open arms, but never claim to own,
For every soul must walk its path alone.
Like a raindrop resting on a lotus leaf,
Let go of fear, attachment, and grief.
Make this day a gift, let compassion lead,
For a life of wisdom is a life of peace.
[Verse 2]
Our homes and gold, our honors and our fame,
Will never stay forever just the same.
The body changes, every breath moves on,
Like fading shadows underneath the dawn.
So cherish those who walk beside your way,
Speak words of love while there is still today.
And when the time comes for a last goodbye,
Let wisdom hold you as the tears run dry.
[Bridge]
Train your hands to do what is right,
Let truthful words bring warmth and light.
Train your mind to see things as they are,
Beyond the passing clouds, beyond the stars.
Let greed grow quiet, let anger cease,
Let understanding guide you into peace.
For nothing lasts the way we wish it would,
But every moment can be used for good.
[Final Chorus]
Life is but a moment, let your heart be free,
Find the strength to live with clarity.
Love without possession, give without pride,
Let compassion be your constant guide.
Like a raindrop resting on a lotus leaf,
Let go of fear, attachment, and grief.
While your breath remains, let goodness grow,
And walk in peace wherever you may go.
[Outro]
Life is but a moment, precious as the dawn,
Things may fade away, but kindness carries on.
Let the heart grow wise, let the spirit soar,
And live with peace, today and evermore.
Dhamma News: “Jarā Sutta Niddesa” — Reflecting on Impermanence, Letting Go of Attachment, and Facing Aging and Death with Wisdom
The Buddha’s Teachings Remind Humanity That Life Is Brief: “Jarā Sutta Niddesa” Explores Aging, Death, Attachment, and the Path to Inner Peace
Buddhist teachings offer profound insights into the nature of human existence, particularly aging, death, separation, and the suffering that arises from attachment. These teachings are presented in the Jarā Sutta Niddesa, the sixth section of the Mahāniddesa, found in the Khuddaka Nikāya of the Sutta Piṭaka, Tipiṭaka Volume 29.
This discourse encourages people to understand the fundamental truths of life: human beings cannot escape aging and death, and no worldly possession or relationship can remain unchanged forever. Rather than encouraging fear or despair, the teaching invites people to appreciate the time they have, perform wholesome deeds, and live with mindfulness and wisdom.
Life Is Short, and Every Moment Matters
In section 181, the Buddha teaches:
“Brief indeed is this life. Human beings die within a hundred years; even those who live beyond that ultimately die through old age.”
Section 182 explains that life is limited both in duration and in its dependence on numerous conditions, including breathing, nourishment, the body, and consciousness. All these processes arise and change according to causes and conditions.
This teaching reminds us that although we can plan for the future, we cannot guarantee how long we will live. The true value of life therefore lies not merely in longevity, but in living meaningfully, cultivating virtue, and contributing to the well-being of others.
Attachment to “Mine” Is a Source of Suffering
Sections 186–195 examine the suffering caused by identifying things as “mine.” These may include possessions, reputation, relationships, the body, and even our mental experiences. When these things change, disappear, or are taken away, grief and anxiety may arise.
The discourse explains two forms of attachment: attachment driven by taṇhā, or craving, and attachment associated with diṭṭhi, or fixed views. Neither can make impermanent things permanently secure.
The teaching also discusses the five aggregates (pañcakkhandha): form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness. These constitute the framework through which Buddhist teachings analyze human experience. Wisdom involves recognizing their changing nature rather than treating them as an eternal, unchanging self.
Separation Is an Inevitable Part of Life
Sections 196–204 compare the loss of loved ones with the experience of dreaming. When a person awakens, the people and places encountered in a dream are no longer present in the same way.
Similarly, those who have died cannot return to our immediate experience in their former physical condition. This comparison does not mean that love and relationships are meaningless. Instead, it encourages us to cherish loved ones while they are alive, care for them with compassion, and gradually learn to accept loss when separation occurs.
Becoming a Sage Through Wisdom and Nonattachment
Sections 205–223 describe the development of a wise person, or muni, who is no longer dominated by attachment, grief, possessiveness, or aversion.
The discourse explains moniya-dhamma, the principles of sage-like conduct, through three dimensions:
Bodily conduct: Abandoning misconduct and acting ethically.
Verbal conduct: Speaking truthfully, kindly, and responsibly.
Mental conduct: Abandoning unwholesome thoughts and cultivating mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom.
The Buddha compares the wise person to a drop of water that does not cling to a lotus leaf. In the same way, a person with developed wisdom can encounter sights, sounds, and other sensory experiences without becoming enslaved by craving, hatred, or delusion.
This does not mean withdrawing from society or rejecting other people. It means engaging with the world mindfully, responding with compassion, and avoiding the excessive attachment that creates suffering for oneself and others.
Essential Teachings for Daily Life
1. Impermanence (Anicca)
Everything changes, including our bodies, possessions, and relationships. Recognizing impermanence helps us appreciate the present and avoid living carelessly.
2. Letting Go of Attachment
We can love and care for others without demanding permanent possession or control. We can use material resources wisely while accepting that change and separation are inevitable.
3. Mindfulness and Wisdom
When faced with disappointment or loss, we can pause, observe our emotions, and understand the situation clearly before responding.
4. Ethical Conduct of Body, Speech, and Mind
We can cultivate goodness through our actions, speak with honesty and kindness, and train the mind to reduce greed, hatred, and delusion.
Conclusion
The Jarā Sutta Niddesa invites humanity to confront the realities of aging, death, and separation with understanding rather than fear. Much of our suffering arises when we try to make changing things conform permanently to our wishes.
The central message is to live without heedlessness, perform wholesome deeds while opportunities remain, care for loved ones with compassion, and develop wisdom that understands the changing nature of existence.
By recognizing that nothing can be possessed forever, we can learn to live with greater peace, responsibility, and freedom from unnecessary suffering.
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