The Pilgrim Kamanita · Chapter
To Be Born Is to Die explained
Kamanita and Vasitthi, now in a heavenly realm, notice their lotus flowers wilting and the paradise around them fading.
What happens
Kamanita and Vasitthi, now in a heavenly realm, notice their lotus flowers wilting and the paradise around them fading. Kamanita is distressed by this change, but Vasitthi calmly explains that it fulfills the Buddha's teaching that 'to be born is to die.' Kamanita recalls his own near encounter with the Buddha, which was cut short by his violent death, and asks Vasitthi to tell him how she came to meet the Master.
Themes in this chapter
Illusion and Reality
The fading of the heavenly lotus flowers reveals the impermanent nature of even paradise, challenging the illusion of eternal bliss.
Suffering and Detachment
Kamanita's distress at the decay of his surroundings and Vasitthi's calm acceptance illustrate the contrast between attachment and understanding of suffering.
Characters to notice
- Kamanita
Distressed by the fading of his lotus and the paradise around him; recalls his failed attempt to see the Buddha before his death.
- Vasitthi
Calmly explains the Buddha's teaching about impermanence; has personally sat at the feet of the Master.
- The Lord Buddha
Quoted as saying 'To be born is to die'; Vasitthi heard this teaching from him directly.
Key passages
“To be born is to die; all-destroying, oblivion's breath holds sway; As in gardens of Earth, flowers of Paradise fade, and pass away.”
Existence inevitably leads to decay and death; even the most beautiful and divine things are subject to impermanence.
This is the Buddha's teaching that Vasitthi recalls, which Kamanita initially finds hope-destroying.
“my evil fate—the fruit of wicked deeds of the past, grown ripe at that unhappy moment—robbed me of the joy of seeing the sublime Buddha.”
My bad karma from past actions prevented me from meeting the Buddha when I had the chance.
Kamanita explains why he never got to hear the Buddha's teaching directly.