Dhammapada Verses 153 & 154: Tear Down The House

Dhammapada verse(s) in Pali:

Verse 153
anekajātisaṃsāraṃ, sandhāvissaṃ anibbisaṃ.
gahakāraṃ gavesanto, dukkhā jāti punappunaṃ.

Verse 154
gahakāraka diṭṭhosi, puna gehaṃ na kāhasi.
sabbā te phāsukā bhaggā, gahakūṭaṃ visaṅkhataṃ.
visaṅkhāragataṃ cittaṃ, taṇhānaṃ khayamajjhagā.

English translation of verse(s):

Verse 153
Through many a birth in samsara have I wandered in vain, seeking the builder of this house (of life). Repeated birth is indeed suffering!

Verse 154
O house-builder, you are seen! You will not build this house again. For your rafters are broken and your ridgepole shattered. My mind has reached the Unconditioned; I have attained the destruction of craving.

(Translated by Acharya Buddharakkhita)

A series on the Dhammapada, a set of 423 verse teachings given by the Buddha, including explanation of the Pali verse, a synopsis of the background story and application of the teaching to our practice by Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu.

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Original Pali Text: https://www.digitalpalireader.online/_dprhtml/index.html?loc=k.1.x.x.x.x.x.m

Translations from: https://suttacentral.net/dhp146-156/en/buddharakkhita#153

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Keywords: Buddhism, Dhamma, Buddha, Monk, Bhikkhu, Sirimangalo, Yuttadhammo, Tipitaka, Pali, Old Age