DHAMMA PADETHA – 6. LONGEVITY OF HUMAN LIFE
DHAMMA PADETHA – LONGEVITY OF HUMAN LIFE
The life of all beings in this world are of two categories briefly.
(1) Sugati life—good, noble life
(2) Duggati life—inferior, low down apaya life which is suffering.
Of these two, sugati good noble life is human, deva and brahma existences. Of the three good existences human life is the best to do meritorious deeds.
Out of the series of existences, in the human abode, the present life is the best as we are living to be in the time of Lord Buddha’s sasana. To do away with apaya and to listen to the dhamma and practise accordingly we have a great opportunity. We also have the best and the right belief. Hence, the present human life is the best life.
In this life we have the opportunity to do merit so that in our future lives we will not be born in the apaya and we will be able to reach higher places of life till we reach nibbana, extinction of all sufferring and unhappiness. So long as we live, we will accumulate merit. Therefore, those who are wise wish to live long lives.
Consequently, Lord Buddha has given a discourse on the five factors which lead to long lives.
(1) Sappayakari hoti – we must eat suitable food, stay where there is a suitable climate, avoid food that is unsuitable and climate which is unsuitable.
(2) Sappayamattam janati– having suitable food staying at a place where the heat and the cold are not extreme, we must know the right amount of food for our bodies.
(3) Parinatabhojica hoti– while taking food we should see to it that it is easily digestible and to avoid food that is indigestible.
(4) Silavaca– Abstaining from killing stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and abstaining from intoxicants, we must be perfect with sila.
(5) Kalyanamittoca – we must live harmoniously together with good friends, sons, daughters, husbands, and wives who will make us happy.
Lord Buddha discoursed that those who live according to the five factors will live long lives.
Motto: Suitable and right amount of digestible food, having sila and good friends, are five factors for longevity.
Our body may be compared to a four-legged table, when one leg is broken it can no more stand properly. Similarly, our body exists due to kamma, mind, climate and nutrition. When one of these is in disorder one will not live long.
That is why associating with bad friends husbands, sons and daughters and wives being the cause of unhappiness one’s life is shortened. Associating with good friends and daughters, husband and wife being the cause of peace and happiness, one’s life is lengthened. This is the discourse of Lord Buddha.
