It’s the uposatha again and it will be the first in a long while that I am observing. In many ways, I really feel like I have been born anew to the practice and my life. I feel a renewed zeal and energy coursing through me and the desire to commit myself to Dhamma study and bhavana has returned where it had ebbed away for the past few months. Observing this and the constant arising and passing away of phenomena not only gives me faith in the teachings of the Lord Buddha and his disciples but serves as the best possible reminder that time is short and that the appropriate conditions for effective practice can fall apart at any time.
Accenti Sutta (Samyutta Nikaya I.04)
The Bhagava was staying at Savatthi.. .The deva stood at a suitable place and spoke thus in verse in the presence of the Bhagava:
“Time passes by days and nights pass by swiftly. The stages of life progressively pass by. He who sees these (three) dangers of death should perform meritorious deeds that bring happiness.”
The Bhagava said:
“Time passes by days and nights pass by swiftly. The stages of life progressively pass by. He who sees these (three) dangers of death and wishes for the peace (of Nibbana) should forsake the worldly objects of Craving (i.e., the three states of existence).
May we heed the words of both the devata and the Lord and practice rightly so as not to have wasted this precious human life. Sukhita hontu!
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