Impermanence
from moment to moment
Once, the Buddha posed a question for his followers during a discourse:"
Imagine a man who tells four skilled archers that he could catch the arrows
they simultaneously shoot out towards the four different directions of north,
south, east and west. I do not believe such a man exists, but suppose he can
really do this. Would you agree that his reaction would have to be extremely
sharp and fast?"
"
Yes, Buddha! That man must have exceptional speed. Catching an arrow
from one archer is difficult enough, not to mention from four of them."
"
That is well said. However, there is something else that happens faster
than this!"
The Buddha watched
the anxious and surprised expressions on the faces of his followers, and then
continued:" The speed at which human life travels is even faster."
At this stage, the
Buddha's followers understood his message, and one of them spoke up:"
Buddha! What you have told are examples to show us that life and death are
serious matters that we have to be mindful of, and that impermanence could
manifest within an instant'. You want to remind us to be diligent in our
practice and not to slacken. We do perceive the threat of impermanence, and
will practise in accordance with your teaching."
[ The Buddha said
that human life is within the span of the moment of a single breath. Changes
can occur at tremendous speed! One instance of mindfulness could cover
multitudinous worlds, and the ten Dharma realms arise and subside
non-stop within a day. To be able to perceive the speedy rise and fall of phenomena
will make us value our life and seek meaning in our pursuits.]