113

Even if one were to live a hundred years,

without seeing arising and passing away (appearance and disappearance, formation and dissolution [udayabbaya]);

Better is a single day of life,

of one who sees arising and passing away.

114

Even if one were to live a hundred years,

without seeing the deathless state (epithet of Nibbāna [amata]);

Better is a single day of life,

of one who sees the deathless state.

115

Even if one were to live a hundred years,

without seeing the ultimate truth (the ultimate nature of things
[dhammamuttamaṁ]);

Better is a single day of life,

of one who sees the ultimate truth.

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Related Teachings:

Even if one were to live a hundred years (DhP 110 - 112) - The pairs of unprincipled / virtuous, undiscerning / discerning and lazy and weak in effort / steady in effort are contrasted.

Not fully understanding and not penetrating the four noble truths leads to continuation in samsara (SN 56.21) - The Buddha describes the wandering in cyclical existence due to not fully understanding and penetrating the Four Noble Truths.

Importance of cultivating wisdom (AN 76 - 81) - A series of short teachings of the Buddha highlighting the importance of cultivation of wisdom.