34 (Day) Notes | Pattakamma Sutta (AN 4.61) | Sutta Study @ Buddhist Maha Vihara, Brickfields | Bhante Dr. G. Chandima

* Longevity does not come from blessings alone, and we must have already performed good karmas. (Cūḷakammavibhaṅga Sutta MN 135)

“Idha, māṇava, ekacco itthī vā puriso vā pāṇātipātī hoti luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu. So tena kammena evaṁ samattena evaṁ samādinnena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati. No ce kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati, sace manussattaṁ āgacchati yattha yattha paccājāyati appāyuko hoti. Appāyukasaṁvattanikā esā, māṇava, paṭipadā yadidaṁ—pāṇātipātī hoti luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.  

“Here, student, some man or woman kills living beings and is murderous, bloody-handed, given to blows and violence, merciless to living beings. Because of performing and undertaking such action, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a state of deprivation, in an unhappy destination, in perdition, even in hell. But if on the dissolution of the body, after death, he does not reappear in a state of deprivation, in an unhappy destination, in perdition, in hell, but instead comes back to the human state, then wherever he is reborn he is short-lived. This is the way, student, that leads to short life, namely, one kills living beings and is murderous, bloody-handed, given to blows and violence, merciless to living beings.

* The way we eat and spend our lives also has an impact on how long we live. (Doṇapāka Sutta SN 3.13)

“Manujassa sadā satīmato,
Mattaṁ jānato laddhabhojane;
Tanukassa bhavanti vedanā,
Saṇikaṁ jīrati āyupālayan”ti.

“When a man is always mindful, knowing moderation in eating,his discomfort fades,and he ages slowly, taking care of his life.”

1.How does the Buddha look at long life/longevity?

2. Why is it important for laypeople to have a long life?

3. How does a layperson live a long life?

4. Is doing good karma enough to ensure a long life?

5. People who commit suicide or worry over the fleeting nature of life can easily terminate their lives. What is the Buddhist perspective on accepting life and incorrect perceptions of impermanence?

6.How can a long life assist a layperson carry out his or her dhamma journey?